Disinformation warning from Feti Yıldız
MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız emphasized in a statement on his social media account that Turkey ranks among the top countries in the world for the production of fake news, and that disinformation poses a major threat to social order.
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Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız made an assessment regarding the ongoing debates surrounding the crime of "publicly disseminating misleading information." Yıldız stated that fake news, which is intentionally produced and spread in Turkey, poses a serious threat to the will of both individuals and society.
Making a statement on the social media platform X regarding the current agenda, Yıldız said, "We are one of the countries in the world where the most fake news is produced. Unfortunately, some news channels deliberately mislead their viewers. It is a known fact that the act of intentionally producing and spreading fake news (disinformation) has become a serious threat that mortgages the will of individuals and society and prevents citizens from accessing accurate information."
Yıldız reminded that such acts have been defined as a separate crime under the heading of "publicly disseminating misleading information," which was added to the "Crimes Against Public Peace" section of the Turkish Penal Code.
The official also evaluated the debates reflected in the public eye regarding the law. Addressing the attitude of those who criticize the prepared regulation without having knowledge about it, Yıldız expressed his criticism by saying, "As the first signatory of the legislative proposal, I watch with dismay and astonishment as some literate individuals, who clearly have not read the law or its justifications, pontificate on television screens."
Reminding that five different conditions must be met simultaneously for misleading content to constitute a crime, Yıldız emphasized that these criteria are clearly stated in the relevant article of the law and have been explained to the public numerous times.
Furthermore, he underscored that the provision in Article 218 of the Turkish Penal Code, which states, "However, statements of opinion made for the purpose of criticism that do not exceed the limits of reporting do not constitute a crime," protects those who report the news. Yıldız stated that concerns regarding journalists are unfounded, with his remark: "Notifications that do not exceed the limits of reporting do not constitute the crime of disinformation. The law on combating disinformation has no issue with news or journalists."