Crackdown on journalists in Turkey: 9 journalists detained
MA and Jinnews reporters have been taken into custody in house raids just after Turkey’s parliament passed new amendments known as the “censorship law”.
News Center- Turkey’s parliament passed new amendments known as the “censorship law” on October 13, 2022, a new crackdown on journalists and access to information. As part of the investigation launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, many Mesopotamia Agency (MA) and Jinnews, all-women’s news agency, reporters have been detained in house raids in Ankara, Istanbul, Van, Diyarbakır, Urfa and Mardin.
House raids
Police raided the houses of MA reporter Selman Güzelyüz, Jinnews reporters Habibe Eren and Derya Ren. The police detained the journalists after searching their houses and confiscated many books.
In Istanbul, police raided the house of MA editor-in-chief Diren Yurtsever. The police detained her after searching her house. Diren Yurtsever has been reportedly taken to the Istanbul Security Directorate in Vatan Street.
Raid on MA office
Police raided the office of the Mesopotamia Agency in Ankara. MA reporter Zemo Ağgöz has been taken into custody. According to the received reports, the police search continues in the office.
4 journalists detained in Van, Urfa and Mardin
In Van, police raided the house of MA reporter Hakan Yalçın. The journalist was taken into custody after the search in his house.
In Mardin, journalist Öznur Değer has been taken into custody during a house raid.
In Urfa, MA reporters Emrullah Acar and Ceylan Şahinli have been taken into custody as part of the same investigation. According to the received reports, police confiscated the computers and cameras of the journalists.
The censorship law
The new amendments known as the “censorship law” introduces new abusive criminal speech offences that further deepen online censorship and restrict access to information. The new legislation consists of 40 articles amending several laws, including the Internet Law, the Press Law, and the Turkish Penal Code. It makes “disseminating false information” a criminal offense with prison sentences of between one to three years. It establishes much tighter government control over online news websites. It allows prosecutors and courts to define what constitutes “false information” and “intent to cause anxiety”.