MLSA - In a lawsuit initiated by Turkey's Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, journalist Dilan Esen, a reporter for BirGün newspaper, has been fined 7,080 Turkish Lira. This legal action followed Esen's coverage of allegations made by IYI Party MP Ümit Özlale concerning Ersoy's role in converting a camping area in Antalya Belek into a tourism parcel.
The fifth hearing of the case, prompted by an article published in BirGün on August 12, 2022, with the headline "Ersoy once again favors his own company," was conducted after a delay of an hour and a half. Both the journalist's lawyer, Ali Deniz Ceylan, and Minister Ersoy's lawyer, Ferah Yıldız, attended the hearing.
During the trial, Esen reiterated her previous defense statements, requesting an acquittal. Yıldız, representing Minister Ersoy, insisted on the continuation of their complaint, advocating for Esen's punishment.
The court ultimately ruled that journalist Dilan Esen would be fined 7,080 liras for the alleged offense.
Antalya Belek, a notable tourist destination in southern Turkey, often features in news due to its importance in the Turkish tourism industry. The allegations made by MP Ümit Özlale and reported by Esen brought attention to the intersection of political influence and tourism development in the region. This case highlights ongoing tensions in Turkey between government officials and the press, especially in the context of reporting on political and corporate interests.
