DFG releases report on violations against journalists in March
The Dicle Fırat Journalists Association reported that 8 journalists were attacked, 16 others were detained, one journalist was jailed, and 330 news were blocked in March.
The Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) published its Report on Rights Violations Against Journalists in the month of March. The report said that as the elections are looming, the crackdown on the press is increasing gradually.
CENSORSHIP LAW
The report remarked that the "Censorship Law" was used as a justification for the detentions of journalists.
It added: “As the elections are approaching, journalists continue to be detained and prosecuted under this law. As we warned before, it could constitute an obstacle to the freedom of press and expression. Therefore, we emphasize once again that we will continue our struggle until the law is withdrawn.”
JAILED JOURNALISTS
The report also addressed the situation of 16 journalists who were detained in Amed on June 8 and jailed on June 16: “For 10 months, no decision has yet been made regarding the indictment submitted by the prosecution to the Diyarbakır 4th Heavy Penal Court. We expect the court, which has been examining the indictment since March 28, to release our jailed colleagues immediately. We will continue our struggle until they are released.”
The report listed the rights violations in the month of March as follows:
VIOLATIONS OF JOURNALIST'S RIGHT TO LIFE AND SECURITY
* Journalists attacked: 8
*Journalist whose house was raided: 1
* Journalists detained: 16
* Journalists jailed:1
* Journalists subjected to ill-treatment:4
* Journalists threatened:1
* Journalists blocked from coverage: 12
VIOLATIONS OF THE FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION
*Journalists investigated: 4
*Journalists prosecuted: 5
*Journalists sentenced: 3
* Jail term given to journalists: 2 years
* Fine: 48,746 TL
JOURNALISTS ON TRIAL
* Number of Files: 41
* Number of Journalists: 77
*Imprisoned Journalists (as of 01 April 2023): 87
* Violations of Journalists’ Economic/Social Rights
* Journalists dismissed: 2
BANS ON PRESS AND MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS
*RTÜK suspension of TV programs: 13
* Number of Penalties: 10
* Broadcast Ban: 1
DENIAL OF ACCESS TO INTERNET-DIGITAL MEDIAS
*Closed Website: 8
*Ban on news articles: 330
*Ban on social media content: 1084
