22.09.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Journalist Cengiz Kapmaz, reporter for pro-Kurdish daily Alternatif, sentenced under the Anti-Terror Law to 10 months in jail for “making propaganda” for the PKK ("Journalist sentenced to ten months in prison under anti-terror law") [ID 24803]

Document(s): Open document

23.07.2008 - Source: Armenialiberty

Parliamentary commission accused security forces of "negligence" for failing to act on intelligence and prevent the murder of journalist Hrant Dink ("Turkish MPs Blame Security Forces For Dink Murder") [ID 24242]

Document(s): Open document

16.07.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Military prosecutor threatened to raid the left wing daily Taraf in order to recover sensitive leaked military documents ("Left-wing daily fears raid at behest of military prosecutor") [ID 24079]

Document(s): Open document

27.06.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Detailed information on case of journalist, detained for more than 2 months and sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison ("Investigation report into the detention of journalist Haci Bogatekin, imprisoned for more than two months and facing ten and a half years in prison") [ID 23638]

Document(s): Open document

07.05.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Istanbul: Violence against journalists on the rise ("Concern about violence against journalists in Istanbul") [ID 23218]

Document(s): Open document

02.04.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Police assault 6 journalists during pro-Kurdish demo in Southeast ("Police assault six journalists during pro-Kurdish demo in southeast") [ID 22985]

Document(s): Open document

28.03.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

3 journalists, one of them 83 years old, arrested at night ("Concern over night arrest of journalists") [ID 22694]

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Freedom of Speech and Press; 21 journalists in jail ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22888]

""According to the government, there were no journalists held on speech violations during the year. The TPA reported, however, that there were 21 journalists in jail based on the content of their reporting.""

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Journalists ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22891]

"In April an Istanbul court began investigating journalists Lale Sariibrahimoglu of Today's Zaman newspaper and Ahmet Sik of Nokta newsmagazine under Article 301, after Sik published a Nokta story in which Sariibrahimoglu expressed concern about the "mentality" of the military and its role in internal security. The court held its first hearing on November 12; the case continued at year's end.

 On April 13, approximately 50 police officers from an antiterrorism unit searched the employees and office of Nokta weekly magazine with a search warrant issued by a prosecutor upon a complaint filed by the military prosecutor in the office of the chief of the general staff. The complaint came following Nokta's publication of an April 5 article that explored the relationship between unnamed civil society groups and the military, citing the diary of retired Naval Forces commander Admiral Ozden Ornek as its source. AI's April 17 statement on the case stated that state security denied Nokta staff access to their computers even though the warrant allowed only for files to be copied. The Turkish Journalists' Association, the Contemporary Journalists' Association, and other groups contended the raid was an illegal suppression of free expression. In April prosecutors indicted Alper Gormus, editor-in-chief of Nokta for slander, requesting a prison sentence of six years and eight months. The trial began in an Istanbul court on September 19, and was pending at year's end.

On May 1, police harassed and hit journalists who were attempting to cover May Day labor demonstrations as the police dispersed crowds using tear gas and force. The Turkish Journalists' Association reported that at least six journalists were harassed or struck by police. The International Federation of Journalists said the incident created a "very dangerous" situation for journalists that could quell freedom of the press by making it too dangerous for journalists to cover such events. The European Federation of Journalists released a statement condemning the attacks on journalists and calling on the government to allow the media to work freely and independently. The Istanbul governor acknowledged "various problems" but stated that the police do not have enmity toward journalists.

In July prosecutors began an investigation of journalist Umur Talu, after the military's general staff complained to the Ministry of Justice that Tulu's column discussing the inequalities faced by noncommissioned officers aimed to harm the hierarchy within the military. Talu maintained his reporting was accurate and well within the bounds of journalistic freedom to analyze problems within the government. The prosecutors concluded Talu acted within the bounds of freedom of expression, committed no crime, and dismissed the case.

On December 5, two individuals attacked and beat Andreas Rombopulos, editor-in-chief of the Greek-language newspaper Iho, outside the newspaper's office in Istanbul. Police made no arrests during the investigation, which continued at year's end.

The TPA observed in a June report that a legal change absolving publishers from responsibility for the books they publish resulted in a shift of liability from the publishers to translators. The TPA also noted that publishers continued to be held liable for books whose authors are foreigners or living abroad.

On January 19, Hrant Dink, a prominent human rights activist and editor-in-chief of the bilingual, Turkish-Armenian weekly newspaper Agos, was assassinated outside of his office building in Istanbul. A 17-year-old suspect, Ogun Samast, was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with the murder. Samast reportedly admitted during an October 1 session of the trial, which was ongoing at year's end, to shooting Dink. The investigation, which continued at year's end, resulted in the arrest and indictment of another 19 suspects, eight of whom remained in detention. The president, prime minister and other government officials condemned the killing, while a national debate ensued concerning ultra-nationalism and the true source of culpability. Dink had previously received a six-month suspended prison sentence in 2005 following his conviction for "insulting Turkishness" in an article he wrote on Turkish-Armenian relations.

On October 11, Arat Dink, Hrant Dink's son and a managing editor at Agos, and Serkis Seropyan, a colleague, received a one-year suspended jail sentence following their conviction for "insulting Turkishness." The related charges were filed in September 2006 after Agos reprinted a Reuters interview with Hrant Dink in which the senior Dink describes the events of 1915 as "genocide." On June 14, a court acquitted Arat Dink and Seropyan of separate charges filed in 2005, accusing the two of "attempting to influence the judiciary" by criticizing Hrant Dink's 2005 conviction.

In June 2006 an Istanbul court acquitted columnist Murat Belge for insulting the judiciary and trying to influence the judicial process for coverage of the court battle over the legality of holding a 2005 Istanbul conference on the 1915 massacre of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire."

Document(s): Open document

05.02.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Two cartoonists face possible imprisonment because of cartoons about president ("Two cartoonists face possible imprisonment because of cartoons about president") [ID 22209]

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Son of Hrant Dink sentenced for reporting Interview ("World Report 2008") [ID 23468]

"In October 2007 Arat Dink, son of Hrant Dink and editor of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian newspaper Agos (Furrow), and the newspaper’s owner Serkis Sarkopyan were given one-year suspended sentences for “insulting Turkishness” under article 301. They had reported a July 2006 Reuters interview with Hrant Dink in which he had referred to the “Armenian genocide.” No other newspaper that reported Hrant Dink’s words to Reuters has been prosecuted."

Document(s): Open document

18.01.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

On first anniversary of editor Hrant Dink`s murder, RSF calls authorities to prosecute all those involved ("On first anniversary of editor’s murder, authorities urged to prosecute all those involved") [ID 22091]

Document(s): Open document

06.11.2007 - Source: European Commission

Case of Hrant Dink ("Turkey 2007 Progress Report [SEC(2007) 1436]") [ID 22357]

"Hrant Dink, a Turkish journalist of Armenian origin who faced several criminal charges for expressing non-violent opinions related to historical issues, was assassinated in January 2007. While his death led to a movement of solidarity in Turkish society, there were also expressions of support for the perpetrators. The trial against the alleged perpetrators of Hrant Dink's murder opened on 2 July and is ongoing. There is a need for full investigations, including into allegations of police negligence.

Judicial proceedings and threats against human rights defenders, journalists and academics have created a climate which has led to occurrences of self-censorship in the country, including in the academic field."

Document(s): Open document

06.11.2007 - Source: European Commission

Military and Media ("Turkey 2007 Progress Report [SEC(2007) 1436]") [ID 22360]

"[...] The weekly newspaper Nokta, which published several articles on issues relating to the military, stopped its publication in April 2007 at the decision of the owner. This followed a police raid on the paper's premises at the instruction of the public prosecutor acting on behalf of the General Staff Military Prosecutor. Journalistic freedom on military issues is restricted by an internal memorandum from the General Staff, which establishes that journalists most critical of the army are to be denied accreditation to military receptions and briefings."

Document(s): Open document

07.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Hrant Dink murder investigation ("Human Rights Concerns in the Lead up to July Parliamentary Elections") [ID 24659]

"Human Rights Watch is particularly concerned about the investigation into possible misconduct or complicity by police and gendarmerie in the murder of Armenian- Turkish journalist and human rights defender Hrant Dink, who was gunned down outside his office in Istanbul on January 19, 2007. The main murder trial, which began on July 2, currently involves 12 defendants, mostly originating from Pelitli in Trabzon where the murder was allegedly planned. However, Human Rights Watch is also concerned about the outcome of variousMinistry of Interior investigations into the conduct of police and gendarmerie in the case.

Dink had been receiving death threats for some time before his murder and had reported these threats to the local prosecutor in Istanbul. His reports apparently went unheeded. In the 18 months preceding his murder, officials in Istanbul and Trabzon also reportedly failed to act on numerous police intelligence reports revealing a plan to murder Dink. In fact, the indictment alleges that one of the three main defendants had operated as a police informer, and the police had repeatedly been told that another defendant was planning to kill Dink.

Following a report by the Ministry of Interior inspectorate, the Provincial Administrative Board headed by the Trabzon governor was given permission to open a criminal investigation for misconduct against only two gendarmes in Trabzon. The results of that investigation are awaited.

Human Rights Watch is also deeply concerned by the statements and conduct of some Turkish officials that point to possible bias and raise questions about their ability to act impartially in the Dink case. Before any investigation into Dink’s murder could be conducted, Celalettin Cerrah, the head of the Istanbul Police, stated publicly that there was no political dimension to the killing, that the suspected gunman had no links to political organizations, and that the gunman was motivated only by nationalist sentiment.15 The Ministry of Interior inspectorate recommended that Cerrah receive an official reprimand for this statement. However, the Istanbul prosecutor issued a decision—now being appealed by the Dink family—not to open a criminal investigation against Cerrah for possible negligence in failing to respond to warnings that Dink’s life was under threat, or for the statements made after Dink’s murder. Nevertheless, İlhan Güler, the head of the Intelligence Department of the Istanbul Police, is facing criminal prosecution for negligence in not responding to warnings that Dink’s life was under threat.

Turkish television broadcast footage it had obtained of several police and
gendarmerie officers posing for photographs with the murder suspect directly after his apprehension in the Black Sea city of Samsun on January 21. The footage reveals the suspect holding up a Turkish flag and surrounded by officers in the Samsun Security Directorate, who apparently considered this a souvenir.16 Immediately after the footage was broadcast, four police officers were suspended from duty pending an investigation and four gendarmes were transferred to other posts. Although the Samsun prosecutor was granted permission to undertake a preliminary investigation into the conduct of some involved in the footage, on June 8 he decided not to open a case against the officers, apparently taking his lead from a report by the Ministry of Interior inspectorate that recommended against criminal prosecution. The prosecutor reasoned that the conduct of the 21 police and gendarmes did not amount to the criminal offense of “publicly praising a crime or criminal,” but was instead conduct aimed at getting the suspect to confess to the murder of Hrant Dink. However, the prosecutor did not rule out criminal prosecution of the police officer who failed to place the murder suspect in a cell or the individual who leaked the film footage to the television channel."

Document(s): Open document

17.04.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Istanbul: Raid of offices of Nokta weekly magazine; incident reportedly followed publication of article exploring relationship between unnamed civil society groups and military ("Raid on magazine raises spectre of more censorship [EUR 44/005/2007]") [ID 19660]

Document(s): Open document

07.04.2007 - Source: Guardian

Security services offer protection to about 20 journalists, writers and intellectuals following Hrant Dink murder in January 2007; activists urge end of ban on insulting Turkishness ("Why Turkish intellectuals need armed guards") [ID 19664]

Document(s): Open document

30.03.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Dangerous ultra-nationalist group threatens radio ("Dangerous ultra-nationalist group threatens radio") [ID 19666]

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Police negligence and nationalist tensions at centre of probe in Hrant Dink’s murder ("Police negligence and nationalist tensions at centre of probe in Hrant Dink’s murder") [ID 19028]

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Court blocks access to YouTube because of videos “insulting” Ataturk ("Court blocks access to YouTube because of videos “insulting” Ataturk") [ID 19207]

Document(s): Open document

05.03.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Istanbul: Shot fired at ceremony for slain Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink ("Shot Fired At Ceremony For Slain Turkish-Armenian Journalist") [ID 19025]

Document(s): Open document

06.02.2007 - Source: BBC News

Senior Istanbul policeman suspended amid allegations police had advance warning of writer Hrant Dink's murder ("Officer suspended in Dink probe") [ID 19030]

Document(s): Open document

02.2007 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Attacks on the Press in 2006 ("Attacks on the Press in 2006: Turkey") [ID 19365]

For different cases of attacks on journalists consult the original document

"A wave of criminal prosecutions against the press reignited doubts about Turkey’s commitment to Western-style democracy and a free press just one year after the nation began formal talks for European Union membership. Journalists and writers found themselves the repeated targets of criminal lawsuits initiated under vaguely worded, restrictive statutes that remained on the books despite recent legislative reforms. Those who tackled controversial topics such as the country’s ethnic Kurds, criticism of the military and the courts, the mass killing of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire, or criticism of the country’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, were the primary victims.

Over the last decade, Turkey made noticeable progress in improving its press freedom record. Among the world’s leading jailers of journalists in the 1990s, Turkey has nearly ended the practice of putting reporters behind bars; at year’s end, there was one reporter in prison for his work. Much of the improvement was the result of comprehensive legal reforms undertaken by the government in recent years. In an attempt to bring its laws in line with European legislation, Turkish authorities have amended or abolished restrictive statutes that had once been used to jail journalists by the dozens.

However, repressive laws remain on the books, and in 2006 they were frequently invoked to haul outspoken writers before the courts. Turkish nationalists opposed to EU membership were a driving force behind many of the prosecutions, which they hoped would derail accession. In doing so, they frequently sought out sympathetic public prosecutors across the country to launch criminal suits against journalists, writers, and academics."

Document(s): Open document

25.01.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Police guard Turkish-Armenian paper after death threats ("Police guard Turkish-Armenian paper after death threats") [ID 19027]

Document(s): Open document

21.01.2007 - Source: BBC News

Prosecutors say teenager suspected of murdering journalist Hrant Dink confesses to the killing ("Dink killing suspect 'confesses'") [ID 19117]

Document(s): Open document

19.01.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Istanbul: Prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink murdered; it is believed that he was targeted because of his work as a journalist who championed freedom of expression ("Turkish-Armenian journalist murdered [EUR 44/001/2007]") [ID 19029]

Document(s): Open document

10.10.2006 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Charge against 5 journalists for their criticism of official attempts to ban a conference focusing on the Armenian massacres ("A Minority Policy of Systematic Negation") [ID 18298]

"Five journalists have been charged for their criticism of official attempts to ban a conference focusing on the Armenian massacres in November 2005."

Document(s): Report
Press Release

28.09.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

5 journalists charged under controversial article on Turkish identity ("Five journalists charged under controversial article on Turkish identity") [ID 17728]

Document(s): Open document

26.09.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalist Hrant Dink charged again with "denigrating Turkishness" for reporting on the massacres of Armenians during the Ottoman Empire ("Journalist targeted yet again [EUR 44/017/2006]") [ID 17732]

Document(s): Open document

10.07.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Amendments to anti-terrorism law sufficiently vague so that any member of news media producing a contested article could be prosecuted, especially as several journalists are already charged with collaborating with the successor to outlawed PKK ("Prime Minister warned that terror law changes could impose censorship of Kurdish issues") [ID 17583]

Document(s): Open document

21.06.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Rüstu Demirkaya, reporter with the Kurdish news agency Diha, detained in Tunceli prison on charge of collaborating with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) ("Call for provisional release of Kurdish journalist accused of collaborating with PKK") [ID 17584]

Document(s): Open document

09.06.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Columnist Murat Belge of newspaper Radikal acquitted by an Istanbul court; he was charged of attempting to influence the outcome of judicial proceedings ("Journalist acquitted but media prosecutions continue") [ID 17675]

Document(s): Open document

29.05.2006 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Court proceedings against journalists charged under penal code art. 301 or because of propaganda for an illegal organization ("Türkei; Zur aktuellen Situation – Mai 2006") [ID 19388]

"Kritische JournalistInnen und VerlegerInnen werden mit Gerichtsverfahren überhäuft. Neben Anklagen wegen Verstössen gegen Artikel 301 («Herabwürdigung des Türkentums»), gibt es auch regelmässig Anklagen wegen «Propaganda für eine illegale Organisation» oder «Veröffentlichung einer Publikation, welche die Justiz beeinflussen könnte» oder «Aufstachelung zu Hass und Feindschaft». Kommt es zu einer Verurteilung, werden häufig Bussen, teilweise aber auch mehrmonatige Haftstrafen ausgesprochen.21 Beispielsweise wurden Ende 2005 fünf Journalisten wegen ihren Publikationen im Rahmen einer Armenien-Konferenz angeklagt. Gegen vier der fünf wurde das Verfahren im April 2006 aus formaljuristischen Gründen fallen gelassen. Gegen die beiden bekannten Verleger Hrant Dink und Ragip Zarakolu sind derzeit Verfahren wegen Publikationen hängig, die sich kritisch mit der Beziehung zwischen Armenien und der Türkei auseinandersetzen. Eine sechsmonatige Gefängnisstrafe gegen den armenischstämmigen Dink wurde in zweiter Instanz bestätigt. In den letzten Monaten wurden zwar weniger JournalistInnen festgenommen, nicht abgenommen haben jedoch die gewaltsamen Übergriffe auf JournalistInnen und Medienorganisationen. Zudem drohen mit dem neuen Anti-Terrorgesetz JournalistInnen, die wegen «Propaganda für eine illegale Organisation» angeklagt sind, neu bis zu viereinhalb Jahre Haft."

Document(s): Open document

12.05.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Istanbul: Extreme-left opposition daily Cumhuriyet suffers 3 grenade attacks in less than one week; 2 Cumhuriyet-journalists killed in bomb attacks in 1993 and 1999 ("Interior minister urged to hunt bombers of daily Cumhuriyet") [ID 15747]

Document(s): Open document

10.05.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Trial against 2 women reporters of the pro-Kurdish news agency DIHA, Evrim Dengiz and Nesrin Yazar, started on 9 May 2006; both face life imprisonment on charges of “jeopardising the unity of the state and territorial integrity” ("Call for release of two women journalists with pro-Kurdish news agency") [ID 15697]

Document(s): Open document

02.05.2006 - Source: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung

Appeal court overturns conviction against Armenian journalist for "violating Turkish identity" ("5. Newsletter aus Ankara") [ID 15623]

Document(s): Dokument

19.04.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Sabri Ejder Öziç, former manager of Radyo Dünya, sentenced to 6 months in jail under article 301 of the Turkish criminal code for “insulting parliament” ("Radio journalist gets six months in prison for insulting parliament") [#50084],  [ID 15609]

Document(s): Open document

17.04.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Diyarbakir: Journalist Aktas dies after being shot on 30 March 2006 at demonstration in support of 14 Kurdish rebels killed by army ("Journalist shot two weeks ago in Diyarbakir riots dies") [#49472],  [ID 15608]

Document(s): Open document

12.04.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Journalist with far-left newspaper Devrimci Demokrasi (Revolutionary Democracy) declared brain-dead by doctors after he received gunshot wound when police fired on demonstrators in Southeastern city of Diyarbakir on 30 March 2006 ("Journalist brain-dead from gunshot wound received when police fired on demonstrators") [#49312],  [ID 15601]

Document(s): Open document

11.04.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Charges against 4 of 5 journalists for criticising judicial order dropped, but one columnist still to be tried ("Court drops charges against four journalists but a fifth still faces trial") [#49308],  [ID 15592]

Document(s): Open document

16.03.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Report on prosecution of journalists, writers, and academics who favour EU membership ("Nationalism and the press: Free expression is a victim as Turkish nationalists resist European tilt") [#46879],  [ID 13919]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

2 women journalists of pro-Kurdish news agency DIHA accused by police of making fire-bombs allegedly found in their car; they could be sentenced to life imprisonment ("Two reporters accused of making fire-bombs face life imprisonment") [#45311],  [ID 13920]

Document(s): Open document

24.02.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Conviction of journalist of Armenian descent on charges of insulting Turkish national identity overturned ("Turkish Court Overturns Journalist's Conviction") [#45071],  [ID 13921]

Document(s): Open document

15.02.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Woman reporter, Aliye Cetinkaya, of the daily Sabah attacked during protests against publication of cartoons of Muhammad in the European press; police doesn't intervene ("Police fail to stop attack on female journalist during anti-cartoons demonstration") [#44501],  [ID 13922]

Document(s): Open document

08.02.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

5 columnists charged for criticising a judicial decision and expressing opinions on the Armenian question; they face up to 10 years in prison ("Call for charges against five columnists to be dropped") [#43879],  [ID 13923]

Document(s): Open document

07.02.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Trial against 5 journalists, charged with "attempting to influence outcome of a trial through their writing" (Article 288 Penal Code) and "publicly denigrating Turkish identity" (Article 301 Penal Code), adjourned when scuffles erupted between riot police and nationalist lawyers ("Turkish judge adjourns trial of five journalists amid scuffles") [#43687],  [ID 13924]

Document(s): Open document

02.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink convicted of "insulting and weakening Turkish identity through the media" in 2005 ("Attacks on the Press in 2005") [#44115],  [ID 13925]

"On October 12, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was convicted of "insulting and weakening Turkish identity through the media." An Istanbul court sentenced Dink, the editor-in-chief of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos, to a six-month suspended term. He planned to appeal. The charges arose from articles published in 2004 dealing with the collective memory of the Armenian massacres of 1915–17 under the Ottoman Empire. Turkish law, even with recent legal reforms, allows for journalists to be criminally prosecuted and imprisoned for their work. Dink was prosecuted under a provision of the new penal code that states: "A person who insults Turkishness, the Republic, or the Turkish Parliament will be punished with imprisonment ranging from six months to three years." Turkish authorities did not elaborate on what they considered insulting in Dink's work. Dink, who founded Agos in 1996, was sentenced the same week talks began on Turkey's application to join the European Union."

Document(s): Open document

30.12.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Correspondent for pro-Kurdish news agency DIHA released provisionally from Diyarbakir prison ("Kurdish journalist freed on bail after being held for four months") [#41191],  [ID 13926]

Document(s): Open document

14.12.2005 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Continued prosecution of journalists under laws criminalising comments about Turkish state, its institutions and history; at least 8 journalists convicted or facing criminal charges despite official promises to end criminal prosecutions of journalists ("Turkey: Journalists face criminal prosecution") [#40581],  [ID 13927]

Document(s): Open document

26.10.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Datça: 2 journalists sentenced for allegedly insulting deputy prefect ("Nine months in prison for journalist who “insulted” town’s deputy prefect") [#38536],  [ID 13930]

Document(s): Open document

17.08.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Bingöl province: Journalist of Kurdish origin detained for allegedly possessing video footage of members of group linked to outlawed PKK ("Kurdish journalist detained for allegedly having footage of PKK militants") [#35700],  [ID 13932]

Document(s): Open document

06.08.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Tunceli province: 4 journalists reporting on release of soldier by his Kurdish nationalist kidnappers arrested and interrogated ("Arbitrary arrest and interrogation of four journalists deplored") [#35057],  [ID 13933]

Document(s): Open document

01.06.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Ankara: Austrian journalist, who had faced sentence of 10-15 years in prison on charge of belonging to illegal organisation, acquitted by court on grounds of insufficient evidence ("Austrian journalist Sandra Bakutz finally acquitted") [#32527],  [ID 13935]

Document(s): Open document

18.05.2005 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Many trials against journalists; fears that more journalists will be sentenced for their critical opinions under the new penal code ("Zur aktuellen Situation - Mai 2005 ") [#32420],  [ID 13937]

"Im Berichtszeitraum ist es zu unzähligen Gerichtsverfahren gegen Personen gekommen, die gemäss den Staatsanwälten «rechtwidrige Meinungen» geäussert hatten. Die Intoleranz gegenüber Medienschaffenden und SchriftstellerInnen, die kritisch ihre Meinung kundtun, hat seit der Veröffentlichung des EUFortschrittsberichtes im Oktober 2004 eher wieder zugenommen. Jüngstes Beispiel ist der Fall des Schriftstellers Orhan Pamuk, welcher wegen seiner Äusserungen zum Genozid an den Armeniern von der türkischen Presse als «Verräter» bezichtigt wurde und Todesdrohungen erhielt. Ebenso wurden in den vergangenen Monaten wieder Zeitungen, Zeitschriften und Bücher verboten oder mit vorübergehenden Erscheinungsverboten belegt. Radio- und TV-Stationen mussten ihren Betrieb temporär oder permanent einstellen.

Das neue Strafgesetzbuch wird von verschiedenen Pressegruppen kritisiert. Es besteht die Gefahr, dass JournalistInnen für ihre kritische Meinungsäusserungen vermehrt zu Haftstrafen verurteilt werden. Die Änderungen des Strafgesetzes sind insofern von Bedeutung, weil sich die meisten Anklagen gegen JournalistInnen nicht auf das Pressegesetz, sondern auf das Strafgesetzbuch oder das Anti-Terror-Gesetz stützen. Beispielsweise wird in der Presse geäusserte Kritik an Regierung oder Militär von zahlreichen Richtern schnell als «Beleidigung staatlicher Institutionen» ausgelegt. Dementsprechend häufig sind Gerichtsverfahren gegen JournalistInnen, Publizisten und Autoren. Ihnen drohen hohe Bussen oder mehrmonatige Haftstrafen. Die hohen Geldstrafen stellen besonders für lokale Medien eine übermässige Belastung dar und führen dazu, dass sich JournalistInnen häufig einer Selbstzensur unterwerfen.

Wegen kritischer Veröffentlichungen, teilweise verbunden mit dem Verdacht der Unterstützung einer illegalen Organisation, sitzen in der Türkei zahlreiche Schriftsteller, Publizisten und Journalisten in Untersuchungs- oder Strafhaft. Teilweise machen Betroffene auch geltend, sie seien in Polizeihaft gefoltert worden. Immer wieder kommt es zur Durchsuchung von Pressebüros und Festnahmen. Zahlreiche kritische JournalistInnen sind auch in den vergangenen Monaten von Sicherheitskräften angegriffen oder bedroht worden. Und sie sind nicht die einzigen: Regelmässig werden auch Verteiler von unliebsamen Presseerzeugnissen Opfer von Bedrohungen, Misshandlungen oder Entführungen."

Document(s): Open document

03.05.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Annual report on the situation of journalists in 2005 ("Turkey - 2005 Annual report") [#33673],  [ID 13939]

For information on different cases of detained journalists consult the original document

"Despite the government’s considerable progress in passing laws, the Turkish media is still the victim of courts that arbitrarily imprison and heavily fine journalists, forcing them into routine self-censorship over sensitive topics such as the role of the army and the country’s Kurdish minority. Radio and TV is still censored by the National Broadcasting Council (RTÜK) and while pro-Kurdish journalists are still extensively harassed."

Document(s): Open document

30.03.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Ankara: Austrian journalist, charged of belonging to an illegal organization, provisionally freed ("Ankara court frees Austrian journalist provisionally, leaves charges in place") [#30889],  [ID 13940]

Document(s): Open document

14.03.2005 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Only a handful of journalists jailed ("Attacks on the press in 2004") [#30166],  [ID 13941]

"Only a handful of journalists are jailed in Turkey today, but that was not always so. Press freedom was under siege in Turkey throughout the 1990s, and dozens of journalists were imprisoned for their work under restrictive laws. Despite the recent improvements, Turkey has a long way to go to reach press freedom standards acceptable for a democracy. Turkish law, even under the reforms, still allows for journalists to be criminally prosecuted and imprisoned for their work.

One of the most prominent recent prosecutions involved reporter Hakan Albayrak, formerly of the Islamist-leaning daily Mili Gazete, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison in May for insulting the memory of Mustafa Kamel Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Albayrak had written an article for Mili Gazete in 2000 in which he observed that the atheist Turkish writer Mina Urgan was buried in the same manner as Ataturk, without funeral prayers. Albayrak was released in November.

In another case, Sabri Ejder Ozic of the Istanbul-based Radio Dunya was convicted on charges of "insulting" Parliament, according to the news Web site Bianet. The charges stemmed from a program during which the host declared that Parliament would be considered a "terrorist" body if it approved the deployment of U.S. troops in Turkey prior to the 2003 Iraq war. Ozic was freed on appeal."

Document(s): Open document

03.03.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Austrian journalist Bakutz transferred to Ankara's Ulucanlar prison which is famous for torture; trial date not yet set; she faces 5 to 15 year prison sentence for "belonging to an illegal organization" ("Sandra Bakutz faces up to 15 years in prison") [#29619],  [ID 13942]

Document(s): Open document

06.10.2004 - Source: European Commission

Reduction in convictions, but journalists, writers and publishers continue to be sentenced ("Regular Report 2004 on Turkey´s progress towards accession") [#26161],  [ID 13944]

"Recent reports indicate that the majority of cases against journalists are not brought on the basis of the Press Law. The provisions most commonly used to prosecute the media are still Articles 159, 169 and 312 of the Penal Code and Articles 6 and 7 of the Anti- Terror Law. Official sources stress the considerable decrease in the number of cases resulting in sanctions. However, whether or not conviction is likely, the regularity with which cases are filed against members of the press represents a significant deterrent to freedom of expression through the media.

Notwithstanding the reduction in convictions, journalists, writers and publishers continue to be sentenced for reasons that contravene the standards of the ECHR. In June 2004, the Turkish Press Council expressed its concern at a recent spate of excessive fines that had been imposed on journalists. Moreover, individuals have been recently imprisoned following the expression of opinion through the press. For example, a journalist was sent to prison in May 2004 on the basis of the 1951 Law on Crimes Against Atatürk.

According to the Turkish Publishers Association, 43 books were banned and 37 writers and 17 publishers were put on trial in 2003. At least 18 books were banned in the first six months of 2004."

Document(s): Open document

30.03.2004 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

9 journalists, covering the crushing of a demonstration against fraud in local elections in south-eastern Diyarbakir, beaten by police ("Police brutally beat nine journalists") [#20886],  [ID 13946]

Document(s): Open document

11.08.2003 - Source: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung

Article 8 of penal code concerning fight against terror abolished; continued sentences against journalists because of their articles ("Das 7. EU-Anpassungspaket") [#15747],  [ID 13949]

"Bei den Umsetzungen vorhergehender EU-Anpassungsgesetze herrscht eine durchwachsene Situation. Im 6. Reformpaket wurde Artikel 8 des Türkischen Strafgesetzbuches betreffend dem Kampf gegen den Terror aufgehoben, wonach künftig niemand mehr aufgrund mündlicher oder schriftlicher Meinungsäußerung oder Propaganda verurteilt werden kann. Mittlerweile sind jedoch mehrere Fälle bekannt geworden, in denen Redakteure und Journalisten weiterhin aufgrund ihrer Artikel zu Freiheits- oder Geldstrafen verurteilt wurden."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Law reforms as part of an effort to gain entry into the EU; but in reality, press freedom still greatly restricted ("Turkey - 2003 Annual Report") [#11823],  [ID 13951]

"The legal provisions most often used against journalists - punishing "insults to the state and its institutions and threats against the indivisible unity of the republic … incitement to hatred on the basis of class, race, religion, sect or region … making propaganda for a terrorist organisation … separatist propaganda" or supporting an illegal organisation - were amended. But the changes left much to the whim of judges and only when they are applied will the true impact of the amendments on freedom of expression be seen. Several trials of journalists have already taken place under the new provisions.

The revision of the media law strengthened its more repressive aspects, allowing for tighter government control of the National Broadcasting Council (RTÜK), heavier fines than ever for the media, a challenge to freedom of expression on the Internet and further narrowing of media ownership. Journalists daring to criticise state institutions or tackle taboo subjects, such as the Kurdish problem and the part played by the army in political life, are still censored, fined heavily and prosecuted without good reason.

A European Commission report on progress made by Turkey in 2002 in its efforts to win membership of the European Union said that despite the legal reforms, there were still major restrictions, especially of freedom of expression in both the written and broadcast media.

But the pro-Islamic government that came to power at the end of the year said it would push new laws promoting democracy and bringing the country in line with European standards, so as to bring forward the December 2004 date set by the EU to examine Turkey's candidacy."

Document(s): Open document