Turkiye: Prosecutor Drops Probe into News Anchor Şükran Ekinci
Artı TV journalist was under investigation for spreading “misleading information”
Location:Turkiye, IstanbulDate: April 1, 2024
Women Press Freedom welcomes the decision by the Istanbul prosecutor to drop the investigation against Artı TV journalist Şükran Ekinci. This investigation, initiated over allegations of spreading "misleading information" related to a tweet about the Çöpler Gold Mine disaster, underscores the precarious situation for journalists in Turkiye. The decision not to prosecute, due to a lack of evidence that Ekinci's tweet could incite public unrest or meet the legal benchmarks of the alleged offense, is a positive outcome for press freedom. However, it does not fully alleviate our concerns. Since Women Press Freedom started monitoring violations against journalists, Turkiye has topped the list of countries suppressing press freedom. The numerous ongoing investigations and legal actions based on Article 217/A against journalists in Turkiye for allegedly disseminating “misleading information” highlight the precarious situation for journalists in the country. We urge the legislature to reconsider and repeal Article 217/A. The law's current application serves as a tool for oppression rather than its intended purpose of protecting the public from misinformation. Until such changes are made, the specter of censorship and suppression will continue to loom over the press in Turkiye, hampering its ability to serve the public good.
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On April 1, 2024, the Istanbul prosecutor announced it was dropping its investigation into Arti TV journalist Şükran Ekinci.
The probe was initiated following Ekinci's social media posts regarding the number of miners trapped in a mining disaster in February 2024.
Ekinci's tweet referred to the gold mine collapse in Erzincan's İliç district, where official reports stated nine workers were trapped. However, the President of the TMMOB Chamber of Metallurgical and Materials Engineers suggested in an interview with news outlet T24 that the actual number could be significantly higher, potentially five times the reported figure.
Ekinci's tweet in response to this claim: "I hope he is not right," prompted an inquiry into the journalist for "publicly spreading misleading information," a charge outlined in Turkey’s Article 217/A.
Upon the announcement of the probe, Ekinci cooperated by presenting herself before the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to provide her statement. She defended her post, stating that it fell within the boundaries of freedom of expression and aimed to inform the public. Ekinci firmly rejected the accusations against her.
After considering Ekinci's statement, it was concluded that there was insufficient basis for prosecution, ending the investigation.
The implementation of Turkey’s Article 217/A, introduced in 2022 and labeled the 'disinformation offense,' has been criticized for its misuse in stifling dissent. The law's vague language has resulted in numerous legal actions against journalists. For instance, Bianet editor Evrim Kepenek currently faces unjust charges under this legislation due to a tweet concerning aid distribution following the earthquakes in eastern Turkey in February 2023.
Women Press Freedom welcomes the end to the investigation into Şükran Ekinci; however, the numerous lawsuits pending in Turkish courts involving journalists highlight how the "disinformation offense" is being wielded to suppress legitimate discourse and critical thinking under the guise of combating misinformation. We urge the legislature to repeal Article 217/A and cease using this as a tool to target critical press.
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