“Press vigil against censorship and arrests”

The 'Censorship Law', which passed through the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) with the votes of the AKP and MHP and led to investigations being opened against 33 journalists, was most recently used as the justification for the arrest of T24 writer Tolga Şardan. The controversial law will be discussed today at the Constitutional Court (AYM) following an application by the CHP. Before the hearing, journalists started a 'Press vigil against censorship and arrests' in front of the AYM. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel also attended the vigil to show his support.

Journalism professional organizations, the Press Council, the Progressive Journalists Association (ÇGD), the Journalists Association, the Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS), and Haber-Sen began a vigil in front of the AYM for the cancellation of the article in question, which leads to the arbitrary accusation of journalists. Journalist Tolga Şardan, who was arrested citing the law and released 5 days later, also participated in the vigil.

In his speech, Şardan said, “I hope that the high Court will make a common-sense decision. I believe this common-sense decision will be very important not only for our profession but also for the expectations of society and the country. Society needs relief; it needs accurate information, accurate news. Therefore, instead of restricting the hands of journalists and blocking their path, I think that the path of journalists who—I say this in quotes—do journalism should be opened. I hope that this will be a good foundation for our profession and for future generations who will practice this profession to work more comfortably. I hope no one else has to go through these processes after me."

'TARGETS THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION OF 85 MILLION'

An open microphone was also set up at the vigil. Speaking at the podium, Union of Turkish Bar Associations President Erinç Sağkan said:

"I am here today to defend press freedom. We know very well that press freedom is not a sphere of freedom granted only to journalists. This is actually a problem that targets the right of 85 million people to receive information and, fundamentally, the umbrella concept of freedom of expression. In May 2022, we stated how serious problems the work done under the label of combating disinformation, with a new type of crime introduced to Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) called ‘publicly spreading misleading information’, would cause on the basis of rights and freedoms. We stated that this law, especially regarding whether information is untrue or not, is far from legal predictability and contains uncertainties, and in this sense, it is extremely open to abuse. And at the final point we have reached, unfortunately, we are watching with sadness that the hesitations we expressed have come to life in terms of restricting press freedom."

'WILL ERASE THE STAIN ON DEMOCRACY'

European Federation of Journalists Honorary Vice President Doğan Tılıç stated the following in his speech:

"I would like to convey the solidarity of my colleagues in many parts of the world and in many European countries. They are also with us right now. This is what we need. To stand this strong and together. The high court behind us will make a decision today. It will make a decision regarding the disinformation law, which we call the censorship law. Whatever the decision is, they will neither be able to silence us nor will they have been able to do much for us.

Today, people of the world see our colleagues in Gaza under bombs. We, too, are reporting our news in Turkey while wearing a shirt of fire. Whether under fire or wearing a shirt of fire… Journalists always find a way to speak their words everywhere in the world. But the high court behind us, by lifting or canceling a decision, will have removed more than just a shame of this country from us. It will have erased this country's stain on democracy."

'WE WILL SEE IF THE AYM EXISTS OR NOT'

Journalists Association Secretary General Kenan Şener took the floor and expressed the following:

"We expect the AYM to make a decision today that will relieve the entire country. That is why we gathered here. I just expressed it. We do not have a joint text. Since the Balyoz and Ergenekon cases, since the conspiracy cases, this place has become an open microphone for everyone who wants to pursue the search for justice to the end.

Why? Because behind us is the country's highest court, the Constitutional Court's duty is to protect the Constitution for the whole society and defend its values. We also believe that the valuable high judges of the AYM will make a very important decision today for the protection of the Constitution and the defense of its values. We gathered here today with this belief. For this reason, everyone who comes here will express their own views like an open microphone, in accordance with the situation we are in. Of course, within the framework of constitutional rules. We expect the high judges of the AYM to comply with this as well.

Although the AYM is our country's highest judicial body, although it makes decisions for the meticulous implementation of the Constitution, and although it has made very valuable and very important decisions for press and freedom of expression in the last two years, we are witnessing that the Constitutional Court's decisions are not implemented, as we saw in the Can Atalay decision. The country's highest court will make a decision today. Whether the Constitutional Court exists or not, it will show the whole country today with its decision regarding the disinformation article."

CHP LEADER ALSO ATTENDED

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel also attended the vigil. The highlights from Özel's speech are as follows:

"You are voicing a very important outcry. We are here to support you and to state that we are in solidarity. We are reminding the AYM of its historical responsibility. Tolga Şardan is a journalist who was arrested because of this article.

If the AYM does not take a step regarding the cancellation of this law today, what was done to Şardan will be done to everyone. We experienced an election. They labeled the CHP as collaborating with a terrorist organization, but no step was taken. There is no need to say anything about the decision the AYM will make. We expect them to protect the public's right to receive information.

'THE ORDINARY DECISION IS THE CANCELLATION DECISION'

"The AYM needs to put issues that concern the whole society in front of it much faster and take action. We are also ready to provide support. Şardan could still be in prison. If this meeting had been held last month, there would not have been pressure on journalists. I hope they will make the most correct decision. I believe that the AYM members will decide with their consciences.

"I don't think it's the time to discuss the possibility of not canceling it. They would be putting a black stain on Turkey. In a country where they arrest journalists, neither foreign capital comes nor does the confidence index rise. If it is not canceled, we will take this onto our agenda as an extraordinary issue. The ordinary decision is the cancellation decision."

News Source: 12punto