Google's press censorship on the parliamentary agenda: The right to access information is under threat

DEM Party Diyarbakır MP and member of the TBMM Digital Channels Commission, Sevilay Çelenk, stated in her motion submitted to Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu and Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz that the significant decrease in visibility on Google platforms such as 'Google News' and 'Discover' has caused a 60 to 80 percent drop in the digital traffic of these organizations.

“THE RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION IS UNDER THREAT”

Stating that the situation brought to the Assembly could create serious problems regarding citizens' right to access information and press freedom, and that it threatens the economic existence of independent media outlets, Çelenk said: "The recent significant decrease in the visibility of independent media outlets in Turkey, particularly on Google platforms such as 'Google News' and 'Discover', has caused a 60 to 80 percent drop in the digital traffic of these organizations." Stating that this development threatens the economic existence of media outlets engaged in independent journalism, Çelenk added: “This situation creates serious concerns regarding press freedom and citizens' right to access information, and endangers the economic sustainability of media outlets engaged in independent journalism.”

“HAS ANY INVESTIGATION BEEN CONDUCTED ON THIS MATTER?”

Noting that the advertising revenues of independent journalism organizations will also decrease due to the drop in Google traffic, Çelenk asked: “Are you aware of the algorithm changes that have caused a decrease in the visibility of independent media outlets operating in Turkey, particularly in areas like 'Google News' and 'Discover' on Google platforms? Has any investigation been conducted on this matter?”

“WILL YOU MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF INDEPENDENT MEDIA OUTLETS?”

Independent media outlets must meet certain click and readership rates to receive advertisements from the Press Advertisement Agency (BİK). Stating that this Google practice will also make it difficult to meet these criteria, Çelenk said: “Do you have a plan to meet with the officials of media outlets suffering from this traffic loss and visibility problem to listen to their issues and develop solutions?”

“WILL THERE BE A MEETING WITH GOOGLE?”

Reacting to the fact that the Google Turkey representative office has not made any statement to the public or the affected media outlets regarding these traffic drops, Çelenk asked: “Has a meeting been held with the Google Turkey representative office regarding the traffic loss and decreased visibility of independent media outlets? Has any information or explanation been conveyed to you by the representative office on this matter?”

“LOCAL PRESS IS ALSO NEGATIVELY AFFECTED”

Stating that if the situation where the traffic drop on Google not only affects independent media but also seriously reduces the traffic of the local press continues, independent media will face major problems, Çelenk continued: “This process negatively affects not only media networks engaged in independent journalism but also the local press, seriously endangering their economic sustainability.”

News Source: 12punto