Turkey imposes prison sentences for spreading “fake news”.

Courts can use it to sentence accredited journalists and regular social media users to one to three years in prison. Eight months before the parliamentary elections, the government is stepping up its already crackdown on the media.

In addition to newspapers, radio and television, the new law is mainly aimed at online networks and online media. They are asked to sue users accused of spreading “fake news” and passing on their data.

fear of censorship

Deliberations on the law began in early October. Numerous amendments had been made to the 40 articles of the “press law” passed by the opposition on Thursday night that had talked about a “censorship law”. The applications were rejected. “This law declares war on the truth,” said Meral Danis Bektas MP Meral Danis Bektas of the pro-Kurdish opposition party HDP.

Article 29 provides for prison terms of one to three years for “disseminating false or misleading information about the internal and external security of the country”, as well as for messages “damaging public health, disturbing public order and causing fear or panic in the land population could disperse».

The bill was introduced in May by MPs from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AKP. Erdogan, who has long been trying to silence critics, wants to be confirmed in office next year. It will probably be the toughest election for him since he began his term in office nearly two decades ago. Polls for his ruling party are at an all-time low due to runaway inflation and a currency crisis.

Non-governmental organizations regularly denounce the erosion of press freedom in Turkey. Turkey is currently ranked 149th out of 180 in the Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.

(AFP)