Journalists Fined in Turd Case

Representatives from the local "Kuzeydogu Anatolia," (Northeastern Anatolia) and "Yesil Gole," (Green Gole) newspapers and from the printing office of the "23 Subat," (February 23) newspaper, were fined to pay 5 billion Turkish lira (3,500 USD) for publishing stories on Alper Faruk Gungor, the local official of Gole, who allegedly threw villagers out of his room because they smelled of turd.

The journalists said they would appeal the decision.

Halis Kilic, the owner of the "Yesil Gole" newspaper, Ulviye Kilic, the newspaper's editor-in-chief, Yavuz Mingan from the printing office of the "23 Subat" newspaper, local official Gungor and his wife attended the hearing.

Gungor applied for legal action on December 24, 2002. He argued that stories on him "throwing villagers out of his office because they smelled of turd," and on Yesil Gole's editor-in-chief Ulviye Kilic being slapped in his office, were baseless and untrue.

Alper Faruk Gungor sued the journalists for "attacking his personal rights," and asked for 5 billion Turkish lira in damages. The journalists were informed on January 13, 2003 that they were being sued.

Gungor pointed out the articles titled, "Embargo at Kaimaqam's Office," published on August 22, 2002, and "Huge Reaction Against Attack on Our Editor-in-Chief," published on August 29, 2002, as reasons for suing the journalists.

Gungor also said the article "Interesting Action by the Gole Local Officer. Those Who do not Take a Shower will not Enter his Office," published on August 23 in the "Kuzeydogu Anadolu" newspaper were not based on realities. (EO/BB/EA/NM)