Eleven journalists detained in Turkey in May

The Dicle Fırat Journalists’ Association (DFG) released a report on rights violations against journalists in May.

Systematic violations against journalists continued throughout the month, according to the report.

Women journalists

More than 10 women journalists were systematically threatened in a month, said the association.

About the detention of Dicle Müftüoğlu, the co-chair of the association, the report said, “The approach towards our co-chair, who is said to have a four-day detention order against her, is an indication that how the journalists are tried to be put under pressure.

“As we said in the statement on the day she was detained, Dicle Müftüoğlu just did journalism. So, we demand her be released immediately.”

Rights violations

Violations listed in the report:

Violations of the right to life and security

* Detained journalists: 11

* Journalists subjected to ill-treatment: 11

* Threatened journalists: 10

* Journalists prevented from news follow-up: 11

* Violations against journalists in prisons: 1

Violations of freedom of thought and expression

* Journalists under investigation: 4

* Journalists prosecuted: 5

* Journalists sentenced: 4

* Number of journalists under arrest (as of 5 June 2022): 60

Violations of economic and social rights

* Journalist who were fired: 1

Access blocking and censorship

* Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) fines: 4

* Broadcast bans: 6

* Websites shut down: 8

* Access blocking orders on news reports: 14

* Access blocking orders on social media content: 3

Disinformation bill

The report also mentions the “Disinformation Bill” that was submitted to parliament, saying that it was an “attempt to hammer the last nail in freedom of expression.”

The 40-article bill amending the Press Law and some other laws, which was prepared by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputies, defines a new crime titled “Openly disseminating information that misleads the public.”

The article stipulates prison sentences of up to three years for disseminating information that threatens the country’s internal and external security and public health for the purpose of creating concern, fear and panic among the public.