Statement from the Journalists Association of Turkey on İmamoğlu: Reporting on press conferences is not a crime

The Board of Directors of the Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC) has issued a statement regarding the investigations launched against journalists and media organizations that reported on the press conference held by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

The statement included the following views:

“Due to the habit of viewing journalists working in the field as potential criminals in Turkey, practicing the profession of journalism is becoming more difficult every day.

In a press conference held on Monday, January 27, 2025, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu announced that the same person had served as an expert witness in operations targeting CHP-run municipalities; subsequently, the investigation launched included the journalists who reported on the meeting and the media outlets that published it.

The statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which said, ‘Instructions have been given to the Istanbul Police Department to identify those making such statements in written and visual media and to initiate investigations,’ is a statement that is impossible to accept from the perspective of journalism. Following press conferences and reporting on them, regardless of which party they belong to, is not a crime.

As stated in the Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities of Journalists in Turkey;

‘In accordance with the public's right to information, a journalist must convey facts without distortion, regardless of the consequences for themselves, while exercising the freedom to receive news, comment, and criticize. And ultimately, everyone has the right to access information and news, free thought, expression, and free criticism.’

For these reasons, freedom of the press and broadcasting, which is the primary way of exercising freedom of the press and expression, is a fundamental human right. This right is under constitutional guarantee.

Holding a journalist responsible for every word of a news source is contrary to the Constitution and press freedom. The investigations launched against journalists and media organizations for ‘reporting on a press conference’ must be abandoned.

We once again present to the public's attention that the press has a duty to convey every issue concerning the public interest, with an awareness of its duties and responsibilities.”