Under the Pretext of Preventing Misinformation and Fake News on Digital Platforms
“Opposition to Strengthened Censorship of Journalists Ahead of Next Year’s Presidential and General Elections”
On the 13th (local time), according to foreign media, the Turkish Parliament passed an amendment to the so-called 'Disinformation Law,' which pertains to media and social media regulations. Photo by AP Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] As the world suffers from fake news, the Turkish (T?rkiye) parliament is causing controversy by legislating to punish journalists and others who spread fake news ahead of next year's general election.
According to foreign media including AP and AFP on the 13th (local time), the Turkish parliament passed an amendment to the so-called 'Disinformation Law,' which is a revision of the media and social media law. The amendment, consisting of a total of 40 articles, includes provisions to significantly strengthen punishments for journalists who report false information and social media users who spread it. The opposition strongly opposed it, calling it an attempt to suppress the press.
◆ Up to 3 years imprisonment for spreading false information
According to the newly passed 'Disinformation Law,' anyone prosecuted for spreading information contrary to the truth related to T?rkiye's domestic and foreign security, public order, health, etc., causing concern, fear, or panic, can face up to 3 years imprisonment.
On the day the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), led by President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, pushed the bill through parliament, opposition lawmakers protested fiercely inside the parliament building, holding signs reading 'Censorship Law' and smashing their mobile phones in an attempt to block the legislative process, but they failed to stop the bill's passage.
Regarding the necessity of the amendment, President Erdo?an explained about the new law, saying, "False information and fake news pose a threat to national and international security."
Concerns have also been raised about the 'Disinformation Law.' Turkish journalists have expressed opposition to the bill from early on. According to a Bloomberg report at the end of May, the Turkish Journalists' Union demanded the immediate withdrawal of the bill, stating, "This bill will strengthen systematic censorship and self-censorship instead of combating misinformation." At that time, ?zg?r ??ret, head of the Turkish Journalists Protection Committee, pointed out, "It will further restrict the already problematic press freedom in T?rkiye."
In response to such criticism, President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an and the AKP, who led the bill's passage, emphasize the need for a law to protect against misinformation. H?seyin Yaiman, chairman of the Parliamentary Digital Media Committee from the AKP, explained the purpose of the bill, saying, "The goal of this law is to protect everyone from misinformation on social media." Regarding criticism that the regulation aims to suppress opposition public opinion ahead of the election, he dismissed it as "meaningless."
◆ China also strengthens internet censorship
Not only T?rkiye but also China is stepping up internet censorship ahead of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, which is expected to be President Xi Jinping's second inauguration. The stated purpose is to prevent social chaos caused by rumors and false information. This censorship, which began last month and will continue until the end of this year, focuses on strictly responding to fake news related to major party and government events or policies, natural disasters, and infectious diseases. However, observers suggest that preventing social chaos is just a pretext, and there is a political intent to control the media early ahead of the National Congress.
◆ T?rkiye ranks 149th out of 180 countries in press freedom this year
The international community criticized that the ruling party is showing intentions to strengthen control over the media ahead of the June presidential and general elections next year, which will determine President Erdo?an's re-election. Previously, the Turkish government has repeatedly imposed fines or revoked licenses on media outlets critical of the government through media regulation laws, continuing its media control measures.
Human rights organization Amnesty International issued a statement after the bill vote, saying, "It is another dark day for freedom of expression and press freedom online in T?rkiye." G?ney Yıldız, a regional researcher at Amnesty International, pointed out, "The new law will provide grounds for the government to censor critical voices under the pretext of fighting disinformation ahead of the election."
Engin Altay, a lawmaker from T?rkiye's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), strongly criticized, saying, "Those who say there is poverty will go to prison, and those who say there is corruption will also go to prison."
Meanwhile, according to the press freedom index released by Reporters Without Borders, T?rkiye ranked 149th out of 180 countries this year.
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