Turkey: Persecution Of Women Journalists Continues, Zehra Özdilek Of Cumhuriyet Newspaper Also In The Line Of Fire.
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: February 14, 2020Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Cumhuriyet newspaper reporter Zehra Özdilek is on trial for charges of “targeting people who took part in the fight against terrorism”. She appeared before the judge for her first hearing on February 12. She is being singled out and tried for something several outlets have done. We demand that Zehra is acquitted from all the charges.
Cumhuriyet reporter Zehra Özdilek is accused of “identifying a public officer on anti-terrorist duty as a target" because of her news report titled “Onay, who is behind bars for asking for her job back, calls on KESK”. She charged for disclosing the name of a secret witness in an interview she conducted with a teacher dismissed from duty through a statutory decree in the story in question.
When speaking in her defence during the hearing, Zehra told the judges: "I deny all accusations. I've done journalism. This news story was also published by other media outlets. This news was made to protect the public's right to receive news in the scope of freedom of the press."
The prosecutor’s office found no ground to prosecute but never notified her. Despite the absence of a formal objection, an indictment was drafted 20 days later. The court noted that such cases are automatically nullified and ruled to send the file to the Chief Prosecutor's Office for final opinion. The trial has been adjourned till April 14.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism, urges Turkish authorities to acquit Zehra from the charges. “These charges have been dragging on and any further derailment of this case eats up the resources and time of a judicial system that is mean to serve a democratic values of this country,” suggested CFWIJ founder Kiran Nazish.
While several other outlets have been involved in publishing the same story, derailing this case exposes the discriminatory face of authorities against women journalists, only because they see them as easy targets. We condemn the treatment meted out to women journalists in Turkey and demand for justice in their favour.
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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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