Turkiye: Journalist Evrim Kepenek Under Investigation for Earthquake Aid Tweets
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the legal actions against Evrim Kepenek, defending her tweets as a public service in crisis reporting
Location: Turkiye, Istanbul
Date: November 3, 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism vehemently condemns the ongoing legal investigation against journalist Evrim Kepenek, who is under scrutiny by Istanbul prosecutors for a tweet regarding aid distribution following the devastating earthquakes that shook eastern Turkiye in February. Kepenek is unjustly accused of spreading "misleading information" and inciting hatred. The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls for an end to this baseless inquiry.
Evrim Kepenek, editor for women's and LGBTQI news at Bianet, firmly asserted her commitment to journalistic integrity in a statement on November 3 at the Istanbul Courthouse Press Crimes Investigation Bureau, stating, "We believe in the essence of journalism, which is to convey the truth to the public. Straying from this path, distorting the truth, is not a part of our journalistic understanding."
Kepenek was summoned by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office concerning her social media post related to the February 6 earthquakes. She is accused of "publicly disseminating misleading information" and "incitement to hatred and enmity against the public."
Conviction under this “disinformation law,” enacted in 2022, allows for the imprisonment of journalists and social media users for up to three years.
The contentious post in question was shared by Kepenek on February 15, days after the devastating earthquakes that resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. In the aftermath, numerous journalists faced obstacles, hostilities, and reprisals from state authorities for their inquiries into aid distribution.
Kepenek's post on Twitter alleged that the police had confiscated aid tents in Maraş Pazarcık and that all aid would be exclusively distributed through the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). Later, she updated her post, revealing that many aid tents in the area were also being seized. This post has now become part of the investigation file and is referred to as an "open-source research report."
The editor staunchly refutes the state's allegations, maintaining that her claims were supported by reliable news sources, and the video she shared portrayed the scuffle that had taken place. She says her intent was not to deceive the public or incite hatred but to provide crucial information regarding the seizure of aid. Her lawyer, Beste Dönmez Gedek, highlights that open-source investigations were deemed unlawful by Turkiye’s Constitutional Court in 2020 but emphasizes that the content shared should be evaluated within the framework of press freedom and freedom of expression.
Kepenek is not the only journalist targeted in recent legal actions for "publicly disseminating misleading information." T24 author Tolga Şardan was detained and arrested, while Dinçer Gökçe, the responsible editor of halktv.com.tr, was released after questioning. Cengiz Erdinç, an author for Kısa Dalga, was detained at his home in Ayvalık, and an investigation has been initiated against journalists from BirGün newspaper on similar charges.
Evrim Kepenek, a prominent journalist and founding member of the Women and LGBTQ+ Commission of the Turkiye Journalists' Union, has repeatedly faced unwarranted detention and legal harassment for her dedicated reporting.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the investigation into Evrim Kepenek for publishing information that was in the public interest and condemns prosecutors for weaponizing disinformation laws to silence journalists. Reporting on the alleged seizing of aid following the earthquakes was important information, especially to those awaiting help in the disaster zone. We strongly urge Turkish prosecutors to cease their harassment of journalists and allow them to carry out their vital work without fear of reprisal.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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