Merging four media monitoring reports launched in three-month periods, the Independents Communication Network (BIA) launched the report on press freedom for the last year. According to the report, 23 journalists were sentenced to 103 years and three days of imprisonment in 2020. The number of journalists convicted due to “insulting the President” increased to 63 in the last six years.
At least 48 journalists were detained throughout the year 2020, 12 of whom were due to their news on the pandemic. At least 1358 news URLs were banned from access with decrees issued by Criminal Judicatures of Peace. On the other hand, access bans were issued against 24 news websites. The Press Ad Institute penalised five critical newspapers with a total of 276 days of ad ban in total. On the other hand, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) sentenced critical channels, including Fox TV, TELE1 and Halk TV with 19,063,835 TL penalty in total. On the other hand, at least 18 journalists were attacked in 2020.
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24.01.2020
bianet.org