AMED – The Dicle Fırat Journalists' Association (DFG) released its June report on human rights violations against journalists. Report stated that 6 of the 16 journalists detained were arrested. 

 

The statement noted that June was a month marked by the most attacks on freedom of thought and expression, and that the attack on LeMan Magazine was the latest in a series of systematic attacks. 

 

6 JOURNALISTS ARRESTED 

 

The statement noted that 16 journalists were detained in June and 6 were arrested: "On 3 June, Bianet Editor Tugce Yilmaz was unlawfully detained, while n 13 June, journalists Eylem Emel Yilmaz, Ozan Cirik, Yavuz Akengin and Dicle Basturk were detained and then arrested for producing copyrighted news for certain institutions and organisations abroad. In the same operation, Metin Yoksu was also arrested after appearing in court and giving a statement. On 21 June, journalist Fatih Altaylı was arrested 11 hours after being threatened with the words ‘The water is heating up’ by AKP member Oktay Saral. This incident proved that the arrest of journalists was carried out on the instructions of the AKP. With the arrest of six journalists, the number of journalists in prison has risen to 34.”

 

The statement recorded after LeMan Magazine was targeted condemned the attacks against magazine and arrest of the magazine’s employees. Statement said: “Zeynep Durgut, a reporter for the Mezopotamya Agency, was threatened because of her report on a ‘prostitution gang’. This is a product of the policy of impunity. Alican Uludağ was also subjected to a similar threat for reporting on torture and murder at a gendarmerie station. In June, when 26 journalists were tried in 24 cases, Zilan Gül was tried in Diyarbakır for distributing newspapers and for the content of a news story in the newspaper, and was unlawfully sentenced to 2 years and 1 month in prison. In June, investigations were opened against 9 journalists, and the investigations against 13 journalists turned into trials."  

 

The report also highlighted social rights violations such as the non-payment of salaries and meal allowances to 158 KRT employees and the dismissal of 16 journalists.

 

On the other hand, five media outlets were fined, one TV channel was suspended, one website was shut down, and access to 117 social media posts and three news articles was blocked.

 

Report reads: “Attacks on freedom of the press, thought, and expression are increasing every day. While a united struggle against these attacks is essential, we will continue to fight for the truth. By continuing to defend journalism against these anti-democratic practices, we will continue to play a leading role in building a democratic society."