Eight International Press Freedom Associations’ “Mission of Press Freedom Report” , was formed in September in Turkey, was anounced in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
The report details nine different themes of press freedom.
The report underlined that the pressure on the media in Turkey,imprisoned journalists’ release, to stop arbitrary practices relating to the press, the fight against terrorism and review of the defamation laws and was urged to terminate facing political interference in the judiciary.
Critical journalism and terrorist propaganda made integrated as it was said. For this reason, it was stated that many journalists were deprived of their basic rights for months and sometimes years. With the Judicial Reform Strategy launched in May, none of the barriers to an effective and independent judiciary have been overcome, the report said, and authorities and courts still confuse critical journalism with “terror propaganda”. International press freedom and journalism organizations that have signed the report are:
International Press Institute – IPI, ARTICLE 19,The Committee to Protect Journalists – CPJ, European Federation of Journalists – EFJ,European Centre for Press and Media Freedom – ECPMF, Reporters without Borders – RSF, Norway PEN, PEN International.
Griffen: Europe have to insist on reforms
IPI deputy director Scott Griffen, regarding the human rights violations in Turkey insist that there should be reforms in Europe’s major points, he said. Griffen said he should not be satisfied with superficial exchange of promises to Turkey’s EU authorities
Analysis:
The report contained the following determinations of nine items:
* The media freedom in the country has not improved since July 2018, when the state of emergency (OHAL) was abolished. Journalists remain behind bars or face travel bans as a result of the expanded motivation for smashing against the media.
* The wide and continuous control of the law restricts the legal order and the right of the public to access to information. Although the dismissal of a third of the judges after the coup attempt and the trial wave impose a great burden on the judiciary, this cannot be used as an excuse for a systematic violation of fundamental rights.
* The Judicial Reform Strategy, launched in May 2019 to address issues in the judiciary, will not be reliable unless it guarantees judicial independence in both law and practice and ends arbitrary persecution of journalists.
* The Constitutional Court is inconsistent with regard to freedom of expression. When the Supreme Court ruled in favor of journalists in accordance with ECtHR judgments, it faces resistance and obstruction in the domestic courts. This is an indication of political interference with the judiciary.
* Although it is accepted that Turkey was under terrorist threat, the Supreme Court under the name of security and basic human rights and freedoms counting any of the ECHR decision is not considered legitimate.
* The threat of terrorism is used by the state as an excuse to suppress critical voices. The fact that journalistic activities by the Turkish government, prosecutors and the court are associated with terrorist propaganda underlines this fact.
* Although the Panel found the Court of Cassation’s decision to end the conviction of the defendants positive in the Republican case, it also notes that the personal damage resulting from the imprisonment of the defendants is irreversible. They also condemns the aggravated charges against Ahmet Şık.
* Trustees RTÜK recognize the wide powers within the framework of taken efforts to control the media audio and visual in Turkey, the organization’s threatening online broadcasting control efforts and their presence with high-paying licensing system denotes that alarming. The lack of definition of online broadcasting puts the state in control of all online activity.
* Radical reforms are required for the accreditation of journalists and issuing press cards. Over the past three years, thousands of applications were rejected and hundreds of press cards were removed for security reasons, the delegation also stated that the work of foreign correspondents in the country was limited was expressed.