Medyaradar Editor-in-Chief Denizhan Erkoç speaks to 12punto: Access ban decision is not legal

Selçuk Ahmet ÇELİK 12punto.com.tr

Denizhan Erkoç, Editor-in-Chief of the news site Medyaradar, made a statement regarding the access ban imposed 15 days ago on an article written by one of their columnists about the Turkuaz Media Group. Erkoç stated that the Turkuaz Media Group requested an access ban on the site due to certain expressions in the article. However, he stated that they had not received any official notification regarding the access ban and therefore could not remove it from publication.

Erkoç said, "Later, the Turkuaz Media Group requested that the site be blocked from access again. Our lawyers will now file our objections with the necessary authorities. It is not legally possible for our site to be shut down. This situation is unconstitutional." He noted that even the duty judge was on leave due to the judicial recess, which has hindered the appeal process.

NEITHER PROFANITY NOR INSULT

Emphasizing that the content of the article contained no profanity or insults, but only a statement regarding the insufficient salaries of employees at the Turkuaz Media Group, Erkoç said, "We have made our statement. The Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC) also issued a statement. An access ban was imposed on the site unlawfully, and then they went on leave."

Erkoç concluded his remarks by stating that they would follow the process and defend their legal rights.

STATEMENT FROM TGC DID NOT DELAY

The Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC) criticized the access ban decision against Medyaradar with harsh words. Stating that this decision is contrary to fundamental rights and freedoms, the TGC said, "The fact that access blocking decisions can be made so easily has a chilling effect on the news coverage of the entire press."

The following statements were included in the statement made by the TGC:

''The fact that access blocking decisions can be made so easily has a chilling effect on the news coverage of the entire press. According to the Constitution, everyone has the right to access information, receive news, think freely, express themselves, and engage in free criticism. Freedom of the press and broadcasting, which is the primary way of exercising freedom of thought and expression, is a fundamental human right. It is essential that these rights are under constitutional guarantee in a democratic state of law. Access blocking decisions should not turn into censorship against the public's right to receive news and learn the truth.”