Turkiye: Gözde Bedeloğlu Fined for “Insulting” Public Official

Court rules against journalist in case filed by politician from Nationalist Movement

Location: Turkiye, Istanbul
Date: February 22, 2024

Update: November 12, 2024

Women Press Freedom denounces the Istanbul court’s decision to fine BirGün journalist Gözde Bedeloğlu for "insulting a public official," following a complaint by a politician from the Nationalist Movement Party. This case reflects a troubling pattern of using legal tactics to intimidate journalists and suppress critical reporting in Turkiye. While the fine has been deferred, Bedeloğlu’s conviction came after an exhausting legal struggle led by a powerful figure intent on silencing her critical voice. Women Press Freedom calls on Turkish courts to stop entertaining these baseless cases against journalists and to uphold the essential role of journalism in a democratic society, ensuring journalists are protected from unwarranted legal threats.

On November 12, 2024, the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance sentenced Gözde Bedeloğlu to a judicial fine of 7,080 Turkish Lira ($204), determining that her article met the criteria for “insult.” 

The journalist faced trial after Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) politician Sermet Atay filed a complaint against her. He alleged that Bedeloğlu insulted him in her April 2023 column.

In her article Bedeloğlu describes Sermet Atay as a notable figure of FETÖ, referring to the Gülen movement, a group designated as terrorist by the state and accused of orchestrating a coup attempt in Turkiye in 2016. Bedeloğlu wrote that despite his alleged connections, Atay was included on the candidate list for MHP for elections, suggesting that the party either didn’t believe the allegations or is willing to overlook them for political reasons.

Bedeloğlu's lawyer, Tolgay Güvercin, argued for her acquittal, contending that her article was an expression of opinion rather than an informational piece. Güvercin stated, “The article subject to the indictment does not aim to inform. It is a statement of opinion... an article within the scope of criticism and freedom of expression.” He emphasized that the article did not attribute concrete facts to Atay, making it a protected expression of opinion rather than a criminal act.

After months of hearings the court opted to convict the journalist but to defer her sentence in consideration of her conduct throughout the trial. If Bedeloğlu maintains good behavior and does not commit any similar offenses within a specified period, the sentence may ultimately be waived, meaning she won’t have to pay the fine.

In Turkiye journalists are often dragged to court on allegations of “insulting public officials.” Often accused journalists face years of hearings before a decision is made by. Journalists can be imprisoned for up to two years if convicted but typically the charge results in fines. However, these nuisance lawsuits consume financial resources, time and often require numerous court appearances. It is evident that this legislation is being abused by those in power to target journalists who voice criticism of politicians or employees of the government or military. Women Press Freedom has documented many cases of women journalists facing similar charges to Bedeloğlu. The frequency with which these allegations are used to legally harass journalists suggest it is an effective way for public figures to intimidate journalists or encourage self-censorship among those reporting.

Women Press Freedom unequivocally denounces Sermet Atay's attempt to silence Gözde Bedeloğlu through legal intimidation. We call upon the Turkish courts to recognize the importance of protecting journalistic integrity and demand an end to the persistent legal harassment of journalists in Turkiye.

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