Journalist faces barrage of online harassment after reporting on police violence

Location: Turkiye, Van

Date: April 6, 2024

Women Press Freedom condemns the threats and violence Medine Mamedoğlu endured as a direct consequence of her exposing police brutality during protests in Van. Her reporting on the protests sparked by the decision to block the winner of the Van mayorship not only resulted in terrifying online harassment but also subjected her to police violence when she was unjustly detained. Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Mamedoğlu, supporting her efforts to hold those responsible for the threats accountable. Those who threaten harm to journalists for simply doing their jobs must be brought to justice.

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Medine Mamedoğlu, a journalist based in Van, received threatening messages labeling her a “traitor” and vowing to end her life. These threats emerged after she shared an image showing plainclothes police officers beating a 12-year-old child during detention.

 “After the image was widely publicized, I was subjected to death threats and insults on social media," Mamedoğlu told MLSA.

In response, Mamedoğlu has taken legal action, lodging a criminal complaint with the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. 

With a decade of journalistic experience, Mamedoğlu covers women, children, and human rights. While covering protests against the electoral authorities' decision to obstruct the pro-Kurdish mayor-elect's assumption of office, Mamedoğlu was physically assaulted and detained by the police.

Despite having encountered threats and unjust detention, she remains undeterred in her pursuit of her work; she refuses to be silenced by intimidation tactics.

"I have concerns about this, but I am not afraid," Mamedoğlu says. 

The journalist’s experiences reflect a larger pattern of systematic pressure on independent press in Turkiye, especially during periods of political upheaval. Following local elections, numerous journalists faced attacks while reporting on or discussing the electoral process. The decision to initially block the pro-Kurdish mayor-elect in Van, later overturned, triggered widespread demonstrations, during which journalists encountered assaults, intimidation, and detentions by law enforcement.

Mamedoğlu believes journalists are targeted because they shed light on issues such as abuse, corruption, bribery, and human rights violations. “There are dozens of journalists detained for writing these facts. The first area attacked by those who want to silence the voice of the truth is the press area,” states Mamedoğlu. “Journalism must be protected, and the public must protect its right to receive news in the face of these attacks.”

Women Press Freedom condemns the threatening of Medine Mamedoğlu for doing her job. In the course of a few hours, she was attacked online for exposing police violence and then wrongfully detained and beaten by police officers. The aggressive and threatening actions of those messaging the journalist and the police must be investigated. We support Mamedoğlu’s efforts to hold those who threatened her accountable and urge the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.  

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

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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