Location:  Turkey, Ankara
Date: November 17, 2021

Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe

Dokuz8Haber editor Esra Tokat was prevented from filming students’ press briefing about the sexual assault of a woman by a veterinarian. The journalist was also threatened that legal action would be taken against her. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the security forces who do not comply with the State Council’s decision. These curbs against press freedom cannot be acceptable. 

Dokuz8Haber editor Esra Tokat was confronted by the police while following student events at the Ankara Courthouse. Esra went there today to follow the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s students demanding justice for the sexual assault of a woman by a veterinarian who was a former lecturer at the university. The journalist was threatened with legal action for filming the event. The reason behind this intervention was that Esra did not have a press card provided by the Directorate of Communications.

The journalist announced the incident on her Twitter account about the police force she faced. She said police blocked her by saying, “You are not a journalist, you cannot do this job, you can't film here. If you attempt to film again, we will initiate action.” “Does it mean that the law enforcement will decide what I am going to do with my job? I did my degree on this, earned my money from this, and was also a union member,” she criticized the impediment she faced.

Speaking to CFWIJ about the police obstruction, Esra stated that the pressure applied would not silence the journalists. Adding that journalism cannot be limited to any press card, the journalist said, “This is a clear attack on the freedom of the press and free speech. It is a violation of the public's right to information.” “Journalists cannot be prevented from doing their job. These pressures cannot intimidate journalists. Whatever happens, we will continue to do our work,” she told CFWIJ. 

This was not Esra’s first time facing police brutality. During May Day, May 1 protests in Ankara, police attempted to seize her camera and forcibly deleted the videos she took, citing the circular announced on April 27. The circular was issued by the Director-General of Security, which sparked harsh criticisms of journalists. It was also widely used by the police to prevent journalists from filming demonstrations and public events. 

However, on November 11, the State Council annulled the circular stating that it restricts the freedom of the press.

The CFWIJ condemns the prolonged restrictions imposed by law enforcement against the press despite the State Council’s annulment. The intervention against Esra is an attack on press freedom. Security officers are responsible for allowing journalists to do their jobs freely in a safe environment, rather than hindering them. These curbs are unacceptable.

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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