MLSA published its report "Journalism in Turkey: I Don't Feel Safe" that was produced together with journalist Elif Akgül to provide information on the extent and impact of violence against journalists in Turkey. The report was conducted under the Global Media Defence Fund programme administered by UNESCO as part of the "Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists and the Problem of Impunity". The report was introduced at a launch event held at Postane Galata on Monday, 31 July.
Following the launch of the report, DİSK Press Labour Union President Faruk Eren and journalists Deniz Tekin and Dilan Şimşek evaluated the results of the report in a panel discussion under the moderation of journalist Elif Akgül.
You can find the full report right here.
'Journalists are subjected to arbitrary violence'
During her panel speech, PİRHA reporter Dilan Şimşek pointed out that the violence that journalists are exposed to is increasing day by day. She talked about how journalists are routinely and in an arbitrary manner subjected to pressure and violence by the police while following the news .
MLSA court reporter Deniz Tekin talked about observations that are similar to those of Şimşek. Tekin said that journalists are seen as enemies by the police and added: "They use arbitrary violence, thus frightening not only journalists but everyone. Since the police have understood this, they can now apply more and bolder pressure. There are police officers who follow cases like journalists. Whatever case I am following, they come and also follow it. They come one by one and intimidate journalists by asking them their names."
Faruk Eren, President of the DİSK Press Labour Union, stated that journalists are unable to do their jobs due to the harassment by police forces: "Police officers are trying to prevent journalists from doing their job on grounds such as 'it is forbidden to shoot with a sponge microphone.'" Eren further added: "They take action on a random basis. The police now recognise journalists and see them as enemies. A struggle is needed here. This is not only a problem for journalists but for all parties defending democracy."
57 journalists were surveyed for the report
57 journalists from 13 different cities were surveyed for the report. 30 male, 25 female, one non-binary and one transgender journalists participated in the survey, which was prepared in Turkish and English. 55 of the participants are from Turkey, one is from the United Kingdom, and one from Germany.
Journalists are most frequently subjected to violence in the field
According to the report, journalists are most vulnerable to violence in the field and on social media. It is also noteworthy that besides unknown perpetrators, many journalists indicated to have been subjected to violence by the police. In the digital sphere, many are also harassed through denunciation to or tagging of social media accounts of public authorities, such as the Ministry of Interior or the General Directorate of Security. The majority of journalists do take any sanctions against violence; the survey showed that the main reasons for this is "distrust in the judiciary".
Journalists are mostly concerned about detentions and arrests
"Detention and arrest" is the most concerning issue for journalists while practicing their profession. When being asked to select the five challenges and threats they are most concerned about, 70.2% of journalists indicated to work under the shadow of being detained or arrested, 59.7% are afraid of unemployment, and 49.1% fear being put on trial. In addition, for 44.4% of journalists who identify as woman, non-binary or transgender, sexual violence is among the biggest concerns. The same rate of participants, 44.4%, also see gender-based attacks as potential threats. The rate of journalists for whom "racist attacks" are among the most concerning threats is 35.1%.
9 out of 10 journalists do not feel safe
According to the report, half of the journalists answered the question "Do you feel safe as a journalist in Turkey?" with "I don't feel safe at all", while 36.84% answered "I don't feel safe". This means that almost 9 journalists out of every 10 journalists do not feel safe while doing their job in Turkey.
Most digital attacks occur via Twitter
According to the survey results, Twitter is the medium over which digital attacks against journalists occur most. 70% of the journalists surveyed stated that they had been attacked via Twitter. Twitter was followed by Instagram, where one in three journalists were subjected to violence.
You can find the full report right here.
