Akın Gürlek: 'Legislation is mandatory for internet journalism'

Speaking in Iğdır, Akın Gürlek recalled the social media law expected to come to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) agenda in October and made statements regarding the internet press. Stating that "Internet journalism and the internet press are now a power. We follow everything from the internet," Gürlek argued that 'current needs make a law mandatory,' adding, "They must absolutely be gathered under a single roof."

Stating that "internet journalism needs to be gathered under a single roof," Gürlek said, "Such a legislative necessity has emerged based on current needs."

Drawing attention to TİGAD's preparations on this issue, Gürlek also touched upon the 'social media law' expected to reach the TBMM in October.

Gürlek spoke as follows regarding the law expected to be submitted to the TBMM in October:

"We have very valuable experts here, I am acquainted with most of them. They must absolutely be gathered under a single roof. This should have been thought of earlier, but it was not. Such a legislative necessity has emerged based on current needs. If you have a legislative draft on this matter, we will provide as much support as we can to bring this law to the agenda or to have it included in the Parliament's agenda."

TİGAD President Okan Geçgel stated that he had previously met with Vice President Fuat Oktay and that Oktay had told him, "Prepare such a legislative draft, bring it, and I will provide support; let us also consult with our minister."

Reiterating his support upon Geçgel's request, Minister Gürlek noted the following:

"Everyone is currently trying to produce news in some way via the internet. At the very least, who is doing it and who is producing real news requires responsibility; there is also the responsibility of the work... Especially internet media has become very widespread recently. Internet journalism and the internet press are now a power. We follow everything from the internet. It falls onto our screens instantly. Therefore, you are also providing news to the internet press live and instantly. As you know, we currently have a social media law. We have announced a portion of it to the press. We are introducing important regulations here. Unfortunately, there is disinformation and information pollution on social media. People make accusations against each other, disclose each other's private lives, and spread fake news based on a piece of news or a perception. I attach great importance to this workshop in this regard."

News Source: 12punto