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CPJ: TURKEY'S PRESS FREEDOM IN CRISIS
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/10/23/cpj-turkeys-press-freedom-in-crisis/
October 23, 2012
Country is the world's leading jailer of journalists
NEW YORK (CPJ)-The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) this week
issued a new report warning that the Turkish government is engaging in
a broad offensive to silence critical journalists through imprisonment,
legal prosecution, and official intimidation. As tensions between
Turkey and Syria escalate, a choke on information and climate of fear
could deter important, probing news coverage.
Turkey is the world's leading jailer of journalists CPJ has identified
76 journalists imprisoned in Turkey as of Aug. 1, 2012, making the
country the leading jailer of journalists worldwide, surpassing Iran,
Eritrea, and China. Following a case-by-case review, CPJ concluded
that at least 61 journalists were being held in direct relation to
their work, the highest figure globally in the last decade.
"As a rising regional and global power, Turkey's economic and political
success should be matched by respect for the universal right to freely
exchange news, information, and ideas," said CPJ Executive Director
Joel Simon. "Turkey's tendency to equate critical journalism with
terrorism is not justified by the country's security concerns.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan should cease his attacks on the
press and instead provide justice for journalists while pursuing
reforms that guarantee freedom of expression."
CPJ's 53-page report, which is also available in Turkish, features
letters sent from imprisoned journalists and even government responses
to CPJ inquiries. In addition, the report details the case of each
journalist jailed in Turkey, made possible through CPJ interviews
with their defense lawyers and review of public records. Some key
findings and recommendations from the report are listed below.
Key findings
Turkey was holding 76 journalists in prison as of Aug. 1. At least 61
of these journalists were jailed in direct relation to their published
work or newsgathering activities. CPJ continues to investigate the
15 other cases to determine whether the journalists were imprisoned
for their work.
Approximately 30 percent of the imprisoned journalists were accused
of participating in anti-government plots or being members of outlawed
political groups.
About 70 percent of those jailed were Kurdish journalists charged
with aiding terrorism by covering the views and activities of the
banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Union of Communities in
Kurdistan (KCK).
More than three-quarters of the imprisoned journalists have not been
convicted of a crime but are being held as they await resolution of
their cases.
Articles in the penal code give authorities wide berth to use
journalists' professional work to link them to banned political
movements or alleged plots. Some of the most frequently used articles
criminalize basic newsgathering activities, such as talking to security
officials or obtaining documents. Up to 5,000 criminal cases were
pending against journalists at the end of 2011, according to Turkish
press freedom groups.
A 2007 internet law codified Turkey's ad hoc filtering, permitting
whole websites to be blocked at the ISP level. CPJ found increased
filtering of domestic news sources, including opposition and
pro-Kurdish media that local experts consider unlawful even under
Turkey's expansive internet censorship regulations and runs contrary
to international press freedom standards.
Key recommendations
The Turkish government should release all imprisoned journalists held
on the basis of journalistic activities; halt the criminal prosecution
of journalists in connection with their reporting and commentary;
and end the practice of jailing journalists for prolonged periods as
they await trial or a court verdict.
Prime Minister Erdogan should stop filing defamation complaints
against critical journalists, publicly deprecating such journalists,
and pressuring critical news outlets to tone down coverage.
The government must-in consultation with local press freedom
groups-fundamentally and comprehensively reform all laws used
routinely against the press, including provisions in the penal code
and anti-terror law that criminalize newsgathering and publishing
critical or opposing views.
Turkey should reform laws and regulations governing the internet
to bring them in line with international standards for freedom of
expression.
The Council of Europe should hold Turkey accountable under the
European Convention on Human Rights and demand substantive changes
in the government's legislation and policies so that they comply with
European and international human rights standards.
The United States must engage Turkish leaders on press freedom and
freedom of expression in bilateral and multilateral meetings, and U.S.
leaders should insist on Turkey's compliance with international
standards for freedom of the press and freedom of expression as a
basis for continued strategic cooperation.
CPJ is a New York-based, independent, non-profit organization that
works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. To learn more, visit
www.cpj.org.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/10/23/cpj-turkeys-press-freedom-in-crisis/
October 23, 2012
Country is the world's leading jailer of journalists
NEW YORK (CPJ)-The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) this week
issued a new report warning that the Turkish government is engaging in
a broad offensive to silence critical journalists through imprisonment,
legal prosecution, and official intimidation. As tensions between
Turkey and Syria escalate, a choke on information and climate of fear
could deter important, probing news coverage.
Turkey is the world's leading jailer of journalists CPJ has identified
76 journalists imprisoned in Turkey as of Aug. 1, 2012, making the
country the leading jailer of journalists worldwide, surpassing Iran,
Eritrea, and China. Following a case-by-case review, CPJ concluded
that at least 61 journalists were being held in direct relation to
their work, the highest figure globally in the last decade.
"As a rising regional and global power, Turkey's economic and political
success should be matched by respect for the universal right to freely
exchange news, information, and ideas," said CPJ Executive Director
Joel Simon. "Turkey's tendency to equate critical journalism with
terrorism is not justified by the country's security concerns.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan should cease his attacks on the
press and instead provide justice for journalists while pursuing
reforms that guarantee freedom of expression."
CPJ's 53-page report, which is also available in Turkish, features
letters sent from imprisoned journalists and even government responses
to CPJ inquiries. In addition, the report details the case of each
journalist jailed in Turkey, made possible through CPJ interviews
with their defense lawyers and review of public records. Some key
findings and recommendations from the report are listed below.
Key findings
Turkey was holding 76 journalists in prison as of Aug. 1. At least 61
of these journalists were jailed in direct relation to their published
work or newsgathering activities. CPJ continues to investigate the
15 other cases to determine whether the journalists were imprisoned
for their work.
Approximately 30 percent of the imprisoned journalists were accused
of participating in anti-government plots or being members of outlawed
political groups.
About 70 percent of those jailed were Kurdish journalists charged
with aiding terrorism by covering the views and activities of the
banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Union of Communities in
Kurdistan (KCK).
More than three-quarters of the imprisoned journalists have not been
convicted of a crime but are being held as they await resolution of
their cases.
Articles in the penal code give authorities wide berth to use
journalists' professional work to link them to banned political
movements or alleged plots. Some of the most frequently used articles
criminalize basic newsgathering activities, such as talking to security
officials or obtaining documents. Up to 5,000 criminal cases were
pending against journalists at the end of 2011, according to Turkish
press freedom groups.
A 2007 internet law codified Turkey's ad hoc filtering, permitting
whole websites to be blocked at the ISP level. CPJ found increased
filtering of domestic news sources, including opposition and
pro-Kurdish media that local experts consider unlawful even under
Turkey's expansive internet censorship regulations and runs contrary
to international press freedom standards.
Key recommendations
The Turkish government should release all imprisoned journalists held
on the basis of journalistic activities; halt the criminal prosecution
of journalists in connection with their reporting and commentary;
and end the practice of jailing journalists for prolonged periods as
they await trial or a court verdict.
Prime Minister Erdogan should stop filing defamation complaints
against critical journalists, publicly deprecating such journalists,
and pressuring critical news outlets to tone down coverage.
The government must-in consultation with local press freedom
groups-fundamentally and comprehensively reform all laws used
routinely against the press, including provisions in the penal code
and anti-terror law that criminalize newsgathering and publishing
critical or opposing views.
Turkey should reform laws and regulations governing the internet
to bring them in line with international standards for freedom of
expression.
The Council of Europe should hold Turkey accountable under the
European Convention on Human Rights and demand substantive changes
in the government's legislation and policies so that they comply with
European and international human rights standards.
The United States must engage Turkish leaders on press freedom and
freedom of expression in bilateral and multilateral meetings, and U.S.
leaders should insist on Turkey's compliance with international
standards for freedom of the press and freedom of expression as a
basis for continued strategic cooperation.
CPJ is a New York-based, independent, non-profit organization that
works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. To learn more, visit
www.cpj.org.