47 journalists sentenced to 133 years in prison in Turkey in 2021

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The Tigris-Euphrates Journalists Association (DFG) has released its annual report on violations of rights against journalists in Turkey in 2021.

The findings of the report were shared with the public at a press conference at the DFG office in Turkey's Kurdish-majority southeastern province of Diyarbakır yesterday (January 4).

Some of the main findings of the report were summarized as follows:

In 2021;

• 55 journalists were attacked.
• Two journalists were killed.
• The houses of nine journalists were raided.
• 61 journalists were detained.
• 6 journalists were arrested.
• 23 journalists were subjected to torture and ill treatment.
• 11 journalists were threatened and forced to be agents.
• 102 journalists were prevented from news follow-up.
• Investigations were launched against 54 journalists.
• Court cases were filed against 51 journalists.
• Journalists were sentenced to 133 years, 8 months, 21 days in prison in total.
• Journalists were fined 72,206 Turkish Lira.
• 336 journalists had their hearings as part of ongoing trials.
• 62 journalists were arrested as of January 4, 2022.
• 75 journalists were dismissed.
• One journalist's press card was cancelled.
• The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) imposed 59 fines, 12 of which were broadcast fines.
• The Press Advertisement Institution (BİK) fined four newspapers by cutting their public ads for 115 days in total.
• 112 access blocks were imposed.
• 64 websites were closed.
• Access to 1,460 news reports was blocked.

'Pressure on news increased more than ever'

Sharing the findings of the report with the public, DFG Co-Chair Dicle Müftüoğlu said that yesterday (January 4) also marked the second anniversary of the association. Emphasizing the importance of democracy, freedom of thought and expression as prerequisites for a freer and livable world, she noted that the basic necessity for this is press freedom.

Referring to the political, social and economic crises as well as the shadow of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic all across the world, Müftüoğlu underlined that the pressure of the government on people increased more than ever before in Turkey in this period.

Recalling that the oppressed peoples, especially Kurds, entered 2021 with hopes of freedom and raised the struggle, they were placed under greater pressure and faced attempts of inactivation as a whole.

"The regime of oppression has been aggravated even further in Turkey," she said, reminding the public that dozens of journalists had to enter yet another new year in prisons and behind four walls.

'Journalists outside not free either'

Further in her speech, Dicle Müftüoğlu raised concerns that Turkey "has long been faced with an undeclared State of Emergency regime in the field of the press," noting that "this fascistic approach is still in place today and journalists are viewed almost as dangerous beings."

"The dosage of pressure has increased to such an extent that it has become almost impossible for journalists to work in the field," she said, adding, "The government's attitude, pressure and what has been happening in terms of press freedom show us that Turkey is in the position of a prison for journalists. This is also the case for the journalists who are not in prison. Because journalists outside cannot find the opportunity to practice their profession in a free environment, either."

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(HA/SD)