Medya News
Daily Review
Breaking News
Subscribe
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • More
    • Audio Articles
    • Economy
    • Culture & Art
    • Ecology
    • Newsletter
    • Daily Review
Youtube
PODCAST
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • More
    • Audio Articles
    • Economy
    • Culture & Art
    • Ecology
    • Newsletter
    • Daily Review
Youtube
PODCAST
No Result
View All Result
Medya News

Nedim Türfent’s letter from prison: Does the future of journalism worry you?

9:12 am 11/11/2020
A A
Nedim Türfent’s letter from prison: Does the future of journalism worry you?
Share post

Journalist Nedim Türfent, who was arrested in May 2016 and has been in prison ever since, wrote from prison to Bianet:

First of all, I have to remind you of their names, which have almost been forgotten.

Journalist Nazan Sala, JinNews reporter Şehriban Abi, Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporters Adnan Bilen and Cemil Uğur. All four were arrested on 9 October because of their reporting on the allegation that law enforcement agents threw Servet Turgut and Osman Şiban from a helicopter in Van (Wan), Turkey.

The decision of the Van 3rd Criminal Judge of Peace stated that the journalists reported on social events against the state, and that “the suspects report on continuity and diversity”.

Legal malpractice

It should be noted that the prosecutor conducting this investigation is also the person who carried out the investigation against the law enforcement officers regarding the helicopter incident. When the four journalists were arrested, the officers under investigation were probably delighted. This is legal malpractice.

Before I write on journalism, I would like to make a brief detour. Whenever law enforcement officers violate human rights – including the right to live – they are taken under the umbrella of impunity and protection. As a matter of fact, we all know that as long as the regimes that flourished among authoritarianism feed themselves, criminals are immune from punishment. Here, too, the regime winked at the “good people”.

Impunity is prevalent in Turkey. When it comes to the “survival and security” of the state/regime, the crimes of the police are left behind. So much so that even if it is publicly known, it is deemed to be an “individual” problem, with minor penalties. But we can see that the so-called individual cases emerged gradually and became systematic. This approach turns so-called individual cases into rules, not exceptions.

An investigation is initiated in the name of “satisfying the public”, in the common phrase. Inspired by Sait Faik, I say: I will go crazy if I don’t remind you. “You will see the power of the Turks!” After the news, both the governor’s office and the ministry launched an immediate investigation into the police in question.

As a result, the journalist who made this report was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison for “making disturbing news”. Police officers were likely to be promoted.

That’s why I had déja vu when I learned that my journalist friends were arrested. Is it unfair to say the script for this investigation is plagiarised? Do you worry about the future of journalism in the country? Aside from so many imprisoned journalists, how can judges and prosecutors constantly intervene in journalism? What right do they have to do this?

If this continues, wouldn’t even basic critical news be a crime tomorrow? You don’t need to be a prophet to know this! Unless an effective stand is taken against the imposition of “reasonable news” and “acceptable journalism”, we will only have “deceased journalism”.

The point is that journalism in Turkey reminds me increasingly of the Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel “Red Monday”. The majority of us are sitting and blindly watching a murder, perhaps in denial that our turn is coming. However, as long as the audience remains, the evil and the darkness will continue.

The extraordinary became ordinary

The exceptional, the extraordinary, became ordinary. We are like the frog in the slowly heating bowl of water. With each scandal, fear is inflicted on thousands of people. The government shows its teeth to journalists in particular, but also to society in general. Thus, they trap the masses in a spiral of silence, in echo chambers.

As the number of imprisoned journalists increases, more journalists are forced to re-think their words. Censorship and self-censorship are cheap. Regardless of the strength of the oppression, there are, of course, journalists who do not even think of staying on the right side of their rulers, do not thank them, do not kneel, and therefore protect the honour of journalism.

These four journalists, who were arrested arbitrarily, are among them. These journalists, of course, reported the witness statements and hospital reports. As Kurdish journalists break down the dungeon door, solidarity campaigns with imprisoned journalists are limited to those working in metropolitan areas. Shouldn’t the dead soil sprinkled on journalism be shaken off in Van this time at least?

In my opinion, to say “stop” to this persecution in solidarity with these journalists is as much a moral responsibility as it is vital for the future of journalism. Because these journalists were arrested for protecting the public’s right to information. The public should fulfill its duty in turn. No other words are needed.


Share post
Tags: Trending

Related Posts

Medya News Daily Review: 28 March 2023

Medya News Daily Review: 28 March 2023

March 28, 2023
Amnesty International report on Turkey finds torture, further restrictions on rights, freedoms

Amnesty International report on Turkey finds torture, further restrictions on rights, freedoms

March 28, 2023
Afghan refugee still held with attackers after sexual assault complaint in Turkey

Afghan refugee still held with attackers after sexual assault complaint in Turkey

March 28, 2023
Medya News Daily Review: 27 March 2023

Medya News Daily Review: 27 March 2023

March 27, 2023
Syrian Democratic Council demands global fact-finding committee be sent to Afrin

Syrian Democratic Council demands global fact-finding committee be sent to Afrin

March 27, 2023
Armenia, Turkey to open land border for third country citizens and diplomatic passport holders

Armenia, Turkey to open land border for third country citizens and diplomatic passport holders

March 27, 2023

Videos

Medya News Daily Review: 28 March 2023
Daily Review

Medya News Daily Review: 28 March 2023

March 28, 2023

All News

Medya News Daily Review: 28 March 2023

Amnesty International report on Turkey finds torture, further restrictions on rights, freedoms

Afghan refugee still held with attackers after sexual assault complaint in Turkey

Medya News Daily Review: 27 March 2023

Syrian Democratic Council demands global fact-finding committee be sent to Afrin

Armenia, Turkey to open land border for third country citizens and diplomatic passport holders

Medya News

Impressum

About us

Privacy Policy

Subscribe
Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • World
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • Ecology
  • Economy
  • Culture & Art
  • Daily Review
  • Breaking News
  • Newsletter
  • Authors
  • Podcast

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Add New Playlist

Loading
Contact