MLSA - An investigation into journalist Şükran Ekinci, a news anchor for Artı TV, has concluded without prosecution. Ekinci was initially investigated under allegations of "spreading misleading information to the public" for tweeting a news report from T24 about a mining collapse in the İliç district. The decision not to prosecute was based on the finding that her tweet did not pose a threat to public peace and did not meet the legal elements of the crime.
The investigation stemmed from a February 2024 mining disaster in Erzincan's İliç district. Ekinci had tweeted, "Authorities said 9 workers, but speaking to T24, the Chair of the Chamber of Metallurgical and Materials Engineers of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects, Türkkolu, said the number of miners trapped is five times the official figure. I hope he is wrong." The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office initiated the investigation accusing her of "publicly disseminating misleading information."
During the investigation, which also involved MLSA Legal Unit, it was determined that there was no evidence in the case file indicating that Ekinci's tweet could disrupt public peace, and the necessary legal elements for the crime were not met.
According to data from the MLSA Case Tracking Program, at least 46 journalists have been investigated to date for allegedly "publicly disseminating misleading information."
