In our ongoing series *Writing on Water*, Furkan Karabay writes that no matter how organized those in the judiciary, bureaucracy, or law enforcement may be, the power of truth eventually prevails.
As journalists, we primarily seek the truth. Don’t misunderstand us; it’s neither a sacred nor extraordinary task as it is often portrayed. We are simply doing our job, which is to uncover the truths that those in power try to conceal.
Ultimately, a journalist also acts as a watchdog, working for the public and protecting their rights. Those who occupy seats of power, however, often use their influence in law enforcement and the judiciary to hide their misdeeds. One of the most visible examples of this is the frequent issuance of access ban orders to suppress news stories that reveal corruption and decay.
For ordinary citizens, even the simplest legal cases can drag on for years without resolution. The judicial system moves so slowly that even if you are in the right, you may give up in frustration. However, this same judicial system can sometimes make decisions at lightning speed, particularly when it comes to access ban requests handled by the Criminal Judgeships of Peace.
**Rushed access ban requests after the 2016 coup attempt**
Following the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, the ruling AKP party made significant changes in the judiciary, appointing certain judges and prosecutors. Many of these appointees, aware of the precariousness of their positions, dutifully complied with the directives of those who appointed them. Over the past eight years, this led to the creation of a flawed judicial system that allowed politicians tainted by corruption to further exploit public resources.
Just a few months ago, İsmail Uçar, the former Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul Anatolian Courthouse, who was recently appointed to the Court of Cassation, revealed corruption in his former courthouse. In a letter to the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK), he reported bribery and the release of criminals due to the influence of powerful individuals.
This letter also contained details on how access bans were being issued. The irregularities committed by politicians and influential individuals who aligned themselves with the government were so blatant that journalists inevitably uncovered them.
High-profile figures seek to suppress news
Cleaning up this corruption was impossible, a stark reality. Politicians and influential figures then sought refuge in the Criminal Judgeships of Peace. These courts had long been familiar with access ban requests and had turned them into a lucrative business. According to Uçar’s allegations, some judges at the Istanbul Anatolian Courthouse issued access bans in exchange for money.
Among those frequently requesting access bans were close associates of President Erdoğan. However, as Ahmet Taner Kışlalı aptly said, “The power of truths comes from their repetition. It is necessary to repeatedly state the truth.”
Access bans are insufficient to hide the truth. If a news story is blocked, it becomes news in itself. If that news is also blocked, then its blocking becomes news. It is essential to insist on and repeat the truth.
Despite the judiciary wielding a dull knife at the throats of many journalists, efforts to cover up the truth are futile. Speaking as someone who has had dozens of news stories blocked, faced nearly 50 investigations, been involved in almost 30 lawsuits, demanded millions of liras in compensation, and even been imprisoned, I can assert that attempts to bury the truth are in vain.
No matter how much they try to conceal it, if we also ignore it, one day we will all be buried under that truth.
Let us not forget: “When the truth is buried underground, it gathers such explosive power that the day it bursts out, it blows everything up with it.”
