The Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) released its report on “Human Rights Violations Against Journalists in November.”
According to the report, violations such as arrests, lawsuits, investigations, and dismissals against journalists increased significantly in November.
According to DFG data, in November:
– 15 journalists were sentenced to a total of 17 years and 5 months in prison
– 8 journalists were detained
– 8 journalists were prosecuted
– Investigations were launched against 14 journalists
– The trials of 79 journalists in previously opened cases continued
– 91 journalists were dismissed from their jobs
The report highlighted the detention of Soner Yalçın, Şaban Sevinç, Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, Ruşen Çakır, Batuhan Çolak, and Yavuz Oğhan as part of the investigation against Ekrem İmamoğlu launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
On the other hand, five journalists were prevented from following up on news stories, four journalists were threatened, and one journalist was subjected to rights violations in prison.
DFG reported that eight journalists were acquitted in various cases, while the release of journalist Ali Barış Kurt was postponed for six months by the prison administration on the grounds that he had not “shown remorse.”
A new lawsuit was filed against JINNEWS News Director Öznur Değer, said the report, noting that the previous sentences imposed on Değer and the lawsuits filed against her constituted “arbitrary targeting.”
The report also highlighted layoffs in the media sector, stating that 32 employees were laid off at Tele 1 and 59 employees at Hürriyet.
In November, 9 websites were shut down, access to one news article was blocked, and 2,061 social media posts were banned. RTÜK (Radio and Television Supreme Council) imposed administrative fines on 5 broadcasters.
DFG emphasized that the provocative publications of some media outlets also constitute a violation of rights in the peace and democratization process: “While important developments took place in Turkey in November with regard to the Democratic Society and Peace process, the provocative rhetoric of some newspapers, which also targeted individuals and institutions, constitutes a violation of rights. We see and take note of these violations. As we have said from the outset, we support the Peace and Democratic Society process and hope that all our colleagues will take a stand in favor of peace journalism so that this process can be crowned with a democratic Turkey.”