Mezopotamya Women Journalists' Association (MKG) announced the November "Report on Violations of Rights against Women Journalists". In the report it is stated that the pressures against the Free Press and women journalists continue to increase day by day. "Journalists face not only violations of freedom of expression but also gander-based discrimination, violence and threats while practising their profession. These pressures threaten both the professional freedom of journalists and the public's right to access accurate information," said the report. 

 

PRESSURE HAS BECOME SYSTEMATISED

 

The report noted that detentions, house raids, threats, ill-treatment and censorship against journalists increased throughout November, and stated the following: "The house of JINNEWS reporter Derya Ren in Adıyaman was raided twice, JINNEWS reporter Pelşin Çetinkaya in Batman was beaten by the police and Hilal Köylü in Istanbul was forced to quit her job are the most concrete examples of systematic pressures against journalists. 

 

In this process, MKG Chair Roza Metina was also detained on 26 November. In addition Roza Metina, journalists Tuğçe Yılmaz, Suzan Demir, Havin Derya, Berfin Atlı and Serap Güneş were also detained during house raids. These operations against journalists not only target their professional activities, but also constitute an attack on the struggle of women journalists to exist in social life. This oppressive environment against the Free Press aims to silence the voices of journalists and prevent the truth from being heard in society. As the Mezopotamya Women Journalists' Association, we once again emphasise that we stand by the journalists who resist the oppression. The voice of journalists cannot be silenced; the light of truth can never be darkened. We call on all public opinion to protect women journalists and the free press."

 

DATA IN THE REPORT

 

It is stated in the report that 3 journalists were subjected to attacks, 8 journalists' houses were raided, 9 journalists were called to testify, 4 journalists were subjected to ill-treatment, 5 journalists were threatened while practicing their profession, 3 journalists were prevented from following the news, 7 journalists were subjected to investigations, 7 journalists were subjected to lawsuits, 7 journalists were sentenced to imprisonment for a total of 2 years, 3 months and 15 days and fined 7 thousand 80 TL, 38 journalists are still on trial.

 

The report lists the imprisoned journalists as follows:

 

1-Elif Ersoy - Editor-in-Chief of Yürüyüş Magazine

2-Hatice Duman - Owner and Editor-in-Chief of Atılım Newspaper

3-Lütfiye Burcu Kara - Mücedele Birliği Newspaper

4- Selamet Turan - Journalist

5-Özden Kınık - Former TRT Employee