A bill now before the Turkish parliament that purports to want to combat “fake news” is being sharply criticized for potentially expanding the control of the government over the internet and the media.
If enacted, the law could allow the government to further narrow down journalistic activities, critics say.
In Turkey, almost 90% of national media is already controlled by the government, and critical media outlets are under heavy financial and judicial pressure. The newly proposed bill aims to target social and online media — a space the government hasn’t been able to entirely control until now.
Under the law, the offense of “openly disseminating information that misleads the public” would be added to the Turkish penal code. Those who disseminate information that is deemed to be false about the “internal and external security of the country, public order and public health” would face up to three years in prison. If the offense was committed by someone concealing their real identity or as part of the activities of an organization, the sentence would be increased by half.
Imminent discussion
Parliamentarians from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) put the proposal to amend the press law before Turkey’s parliament on May 26. The parliamentary Committee on Justice will start discussing the bill on June 1.
According to its makers, the bill aims to protect people from “swearing, slander, insults, smears, discreditation, hatred and discrimination.”
“The act of intentionally producing or disseminating fake news has become a serious threat that prevents citizens’ rights to access true information in Turkey,” a statement justifying the bill said.
However, the lack of a clear definition in the bill of what “disinformation” or “fake news” actually is has raised questions about what such accusations will be based on.
Thousands of social media users in Turkey have already been victims of doubtful legal proceedings in this regard. Social media posts are frequently cited as evidence in indictments against journalists, intellectuals and politicians, and evidence in trials to do with charges of “insulting the president” is also usually taken from social media posts.
Communication experts and opposition parties agree that the general purpose of the bill is to control and restrain freedom of opinion and expression.
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