Turkey: Oda TV News Editor Müyesser Yildiz’s Trial Postponed To February, CFWIJ Demands The Journalist’s Acquittal
Location: Turkey, Ankara
Date: January 7, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Oda TV News Editor Müyesser Yıldız and TELE1 Ankara Representative İsmail Dukel stood trial today at Ankara 26th High Criminal Court. In the second hearing of the case, filed on charges of military espionage, the court decided to continue the judicial control for Müyesser and İsmail. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the court’s decision and demands the journalists’ acquittal.
The first hearing of the trial against journalist Müyesser Yıldız was held on November 9, 2020. The prosecution sought a sentence of 17 years in prison, alleging the journalist disclosed information that should remain confidential in terms of the security or benefits of the state. The journalist, who was detained for 155 days, was released after the first hearing.
At the second hearing of the case, the court revealed a new indictment was prepared in December. In the new indictment, the journalists also face the charge of repeatedly providing confidential information about state security. The new charges have been merged with the initial case file.
Journalist Müyesser Yıldız, who was present at the hearing, presented the following statements in her defence:
"We were detained on the allegation of espionage, then it turned out that was not so. Then we were accused of the disclosure of sensitive information. Now, the prosecution is trying to collect more evidence against us. I understand that the court wants to find something to punish us either way. I wonder if the indictment revealed who was listening to me illegally. It was obvious that I was the main target and that I had been identified long ago in their documents."
In her testimony, the journalist rejected all charges and said, “What does assurance mean? This is the main duty of journalism. Of course, I do not accept that I received confidential information from non-commissioned officer Erdal Baran. I am a journalist; I will get the information so that I can write."
Müyesser and her lawyer, Erhan Tokatlı, requested the court to supplement the missing files in the case. Tokatlı also asked the court to hear former police chief Hanefi Avcı and other journalists as witnesses. The court rejected the requests of the lawyer and decided that journalists Müyesser Yıldız and İsmail Dükel would be released on the condition of judicial control, pending trial. The next hearing was postponed to February 5, 2021.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the accusations against journalist Müyesser Yıldız and demands the acquittal of all journalists named in this trial. The main task of journalism is to report news and inform the public. No journalist is obliged to reveal its source, nor should journalists be prosecuted for their coverage. We demand the Turkish authorities end their policy of intimidating journalists through the judicial system.
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The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world, and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
Follow us on Instagram @womeninjournalism and Twitter @CFWIJ. Our website is WomenInJournalism.org and we can be reached at press@womeninjournalism.org
The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely monitors the incidents in Turkey with great concern. Since March 8, Women's Day, police violence against women journalists increasingly continues in the country. As the coalition, we urge the Turkish state to provide a free environment for journalists. Following the news is our most fundamental democratic right to report. We demand the immediate release of our detained colleagues. Journalism is not a crime. Journalism cannot be prevented.
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