Journalist charged for investigation into political corruption

Location: Turkiye, Istanbul
Date: February 16, 2024

Women Press Freedom vehemently condemns the recent judgment against journalist Nagihan Yılkın, who was fined for "insulting a public official" following her investigative work into corruption involving the former Governor of Gaziantep, Turkiye. This case underscores the ongoing judicial harassment that journalists, especially those delving into political corruption and other sensitive subjects, face in the country. This case is not isolated. It is part of a broader pattern where Turkish prosecutors frequently utilize legislation to silence journalists by taking them to court for "insulting" public officials or the state. This practice serves as a tool for those in power to suppress critical journalism and avoid accountability for their actions. The legal actions against Yılkın, which focused on her supposed insult rather than the corruption allegations she reported, highlight the misuse of the judicial system to intimidate journalists and deter investigative reporting. We urge the courts to abandon these baseless prosecutions that target journalists for their essential work in reporting on issues of public concern. 

On February 16, 2024, Nagihan Yılkın, a reporter for Cumhuriyet, was charged under Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code for allegedly "insulting a public official.” The outlet's Editor-in-Chief, Mustafa Büyüksipahi, was acquitted of the same charge. The Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court fined Yılkın approximately €200 for the offense.

The accusation against Yılkın stemmed from her investigative article published in Cumhuriyet titled "Complaint against Gaziantep Governor's Office: Corruption and bribery network exposed." The report was deemed to contain content that insulted or defamed the then Governor of Gaziantep, Davut Gül. The legal action against Yılkın and her editor was initiated in March 2022.

The prosecution argued that the article portrayed Governor Davut Gül in a negative light or made disparaging remarks about his conduct or character, thus constituting an insult. Yılkın and her legal team said that the article was legitimate investigative journalism, focusing on matters of public interest, particularly allegations of corruption within the Governor's Office.

Despite the defense's arguments, the court ruled Yılkın guilty of "insulting a public official" and imposed a fine as punishment.

Turkish prosecutors frequently take journalists to court for “insulting” public officials or the state. This legislation offers those in the public eye a useful tool to silence journalists who shine a light on their wrongdoings. In January 2024, Sibel Hürtaş, Sultan Eylem Keleş, and Nurcan Baysal faced trials for charges including "insulting a public official" and "publicly insulting the Turkish nation." Hürtaş and Baysal were acquitted, Keleş's case remains ongoing.

Women Press Freedom strongly denounces the ongoing legal harassment of journalists in Turkiye and calls on the Turkish authorities to respect press freedom, cease the intimidation of journalists, and ensure fair and transparent legal proceedings. The case of Nagihan Yılkın is a glaring example of this harassment, as she was charged and fined for her coverage of a corruption investigation involving a politician. Instead of addressing the corruption allegations, the prosecutor focused on prosecuting Yılkın for allegedly insulting the politician, a process that lasted nearly two years. Such actions not only undermine the credibility of the prosecutor's office but also raise serious concerns about the fairness and transparency of the country’s judicial system. The international community must remain vigilant and advocate for the protection of Turkish journalists facing unwarranted charges for doing their jobs.

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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