An access ban was issued by Ankara 3rd Criminal Judicature of Peace upon the request of the Gendarmerie General Command against 136 websites and social media accounts, including bianet.org. Following the ban, a petition campaign was started with the title, “Open Bianet: Right to Information Cannot Be Restricted.” The petition text stated:
“Our right to correct and real information cannot be prevented; we demand FREEDOM for Bianet and all digital news channels on blackout! We demand that the unfair decision issued by the 3rd Criminal Judicature of Peace to be reversed as soon as possible!”
On the other hand, the access bans triggered heavy reaction on both the national and international platform. Calls were made for “respect for freedom of expression and free press” and for the access bans to be “removed immediately.”
Evaluating the verdict as “an attempt to prevent people’s right to information,” Turkish Journalists Union, Turkish Journalists Association, Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DISK) Press-Labour, Reporters Without Borders, Contemporary Journalists Association and Media and Legal Studies Association pointed out that the court decree is not based on any legal reason.
Indicating that the access ban must be removed immediately, the Human Rights Association (IHD) and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TIHV) stated, “Direct pressure against freedom of expression and press freedom means an attack and censorship.”
In statements made by Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara and Diyarbakır Bar Association Chairmen, “basic rights and freedoms being stolen through the hand of judiciary” was pointed out.
Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) Media Freedom Representative Harlem Désir indicated that the decree lead to a “deep worry,” stating, “The access ban reveals a significantly restriction against freedom of expression and undermines media freedom commitments of the country.”
“News is not something to prevent,” stated the International Press Institute (IPI), calling to reverse the decree. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) demanded the reversal of the verdict, which was described “arbitrary and ferocious.” International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and European Journalists Federation (RFJ) carried the access ban, which was described “horrible,” to the Council of Europe.
Please click here to join the petition campaign started on change.org.
07.08.2019
bianet.org