Digital blockade: Will account bans be able to hide the truth?

In recent times, digital media and freedom of expression in Turkey have been under an unprecedented blockade; however, the steps taken in recent days clearly show that this blockade has now evolved into a structural and permanent path.

Freedom of Expression Association (İfade Özgürlüğü Derneği) founder Prof. Dr. Yaman Akdeniz’s X (formerly Twitter) account being made invisible from Turkey on the grounds of “protecting national security and public order” is a terrifying development. Akdeniz stated that he does not even know which post he was banned for. And even more tragic is that Akdeniz cannot initiate legal proceedings. This tragedy reveals how even the right of individuals to defense is being usurped.

It is not just academic circles; rights defenders and independent cultural and arts institutions are also bearing the brunt of this systematic censorship. For example, I think it is impossible to find a logical explanation for the banning of the account of the We Will Stop Femicide Platform (Kadın Cinayetlerini Durduracağız Platformu). And the fact that the account of Haluk Hepkon, owner of Kırmızı Kedi Publishing, was also blocked from access last night managed to shock even those of us who have become accustomed to being shocked. 

These developments confront us with very clear truths. The government does not want any negative developments, economic collapse, trade with Israel, human rights violations, or news of corruption and profiteering that would cause grassroots unrest to be heard. Most of all, they are uncomfortable with the details of the reconciliation process, which has sparked public debate, being known. That is why non-governmental organizations, journalists, activists, and economists who try to reach the public through unlawful pressures are being directly targeted. 

Just a few days ago, I was called to the police station to give a statement. The accusation leveled against me was, unsurprisingly, “publicly spreading misleading information.” Yet, our report was documented. 

It is worth reminding again and again. The truth cannot be hidden, it is not being hidden... This is impossible. For example, can you hide the price of diesel? Can you hide the price of a kilogram of ground meat, the children who cannot be fed, or the reality of unemployment? 

The deepening economic collapse cannot be hidden. The contradictory processes in international relations and the balances sacrificed to imperialist interests cannot be hidden. The pressure that those in power, who came to office with stories of victimization, are now exerting on the public can never be hidden either.

On the other hand, the “absolute freedom” promises of Elon Musk and similar platform owners are also a great deception. These global companies are shaping their platforms according to the service of local governments and their own commercial interests. At this point, it is clear that platforms like X should be protested and even abandoned. We must rediscover much more innovative, realistic, and sometimes even traditional methods to get our voices to the public.

Confirming this dark picture, a remarkable statement came from Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek at the very hours I was writing this article.

In a statement on his X account, Gürlek announced that they would make the fight against crime in the cyber homeland more effective and that “Digital Environment Security and Combating Disinformation Bureaus” have been established in 175 high criminal court center Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices.

He stated that with this new structure, content on digital channels will be closely monitored by expert prosecutors, and the identification of suspects and unlawful (!) interventions will be accelerated. This move is nothing more than the most official declaration that the pressure and control mechanisms on us will increase exponentially.

We are going through difficult times. But it should not be forgotten that, as Yaman Akdeniz said, the state does not want us to use these platforms; it is giving us the message, ‘you will be silent.’ 

On this arduous path, we will continue to walk in solidarity, entrusting ourselves to fair law, courage, and goodness.