The Independent Communication Network (BIA) launched its October-November-December 2020 Media Monitoring Report. According to the report, at least 130 journalists were prosecuted with claims of a total of 9 life imprisonments as well as 1613 years of imprisonment in the three-month period. Six journalists were sentenced to 52 years, 6 months and 25 days of imprisonment in total. Four journalists, including one Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporter and one JinNews reporter, were arrested with the allegation of “illegal organisation membership” within a file that has a confidentiality order against it. 2 of 16 journalists prosecuted due to “insulting the President” were sentenced to imprisonment and two were acquitted in the three-month period. At least 33 journalists stood trial within lawsuits due to “insult” and eight decrees of acquittal were issued. Access bans were issued against at least 485 news URLs; sanctions of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) and the Information Technologies and Communications Directorate (BTK) continued against oppositional media organisations.
Please click here for the full report.
11.01.2021
Bianet