Censorship in Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described social media on Dec. 11 as one of the main threats to democracy and vowed to protect citizens against disinformation. 

Illustration: Unsplash/FLY:D

"More governments arrested users for nonviolent political, social, or religious speech than ever before. Officials suspended internet access in at least 20 countries, and 21 states blocked access to social media platforms," says the report entitled Freedom on the Net 2021.

The ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) work on social media regulation will not allow "censorship" or harm freedom of expression and criticism, Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül said on Sept. 12 while speaking to Kontv

He was elaborating on the social media law proposal, which is expected to be presented to the parliament in the new legislative term.

A request by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) regarding the use of video footages in the coverage of lockdown news on TV channels has stirred a debate.

The Turkish media says he is facing health problems

The Turkish Constitutional Court Building. Photo: Turkish Constitutional Court

A total 903 children have been prosecuted for insulting the president Erdogan!

A total 903 children have been prosecuted for insulting the president Erdogan!

Media freedom in Turkey, Bulgaria and Montenegro is the worst in the region, according to the 2020 World Press Freedom Index, published on Tuesday by Reporters Without Borders - but other Balkan countries have largely failed to improve.

"In southern Europe, a crusade by the authorities against the media is very active," the report warns.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is preparing further measures on social network platforms under an omnibus bill that will come to the parliament's agenda as part of the struggle against the novel coronavirus.