Judicial control condition for detained journalist Dinçer Gökçe: 'Book summary' penalty

Halk TV reporter Dinçer Gökçe was detained yesterday following a decision by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office due to his report titled "Release decision for Turhan Döner and Emirhan Döner, who are accused of being gang leaders".

Detained on charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information," journalist Gökçe was released by the Bakırköy Duty Criminal Judgeship of Peace following his interrogation by the prosecutor.

JUDICIAL CONTROL DECISION WITH BOOK SUMMARY

According to Habertürk, the court found the prosecutor's request for judicial control to be appropriate. The court ruled for the release of journalist Dinçer Gökçe under a judicial control measure requiring him to read and summarize the books "Basın Özgürlüğü ve Millî Güvenlik Kapsamında Sınırları" (Limits of Press Freedom and National Security) by Dr. Ebru Yavuz Yayla and "Sosyal Medya ve Basın Hukuku" (Social Media and Press Law) by Ramazan Özkepir, Salih Zeki Kocaman, and Erkal Hilmi Kart.

''I DO NOT ACCEPT A DECISION MADE IN THIS DIRECTION''

During his interrogation by the court, Dinçer Gökçe stated that he has been a journalist for 20 years and expressed the following:

As a journalist, the thought that I have produced fake news is a black mark on my profession. The Court of Cassation has issued reversal decisions for some of the crimes specified in the conviction rulings against the individuals who are leaders of a criminal organization. It had also sent the letters regarding their release for these crimes to the relevant penal execution institution. We have these documents. In the news I reported, I did not make any statement that these individuals had been released from the penal institution. As we always do as reporters, when there is a change in news that has a history, we refer to the previous news. We believe the content of our news was misunderstood. It was understood as if these individuals were released and tried to flee after receiving 34-year and 44-year sentences, but I clearly stated in my report that this situation occurred 2 years ago. In other words, I clearly reported that the individuals were caught while trying to flee 2 years ago. I absolutely do not accept the allegation that I produced fake news. I have learned that the Public Prosecutor who requested action against me has requested the application of a judicial control measure for me to read certain books. I would gladly read these books. I think it would contribute to my profession, but I absolutely do not accept such a decision being made on the grounds that I have committed a crime. This is all I have to say.”