Deniz Tekin
Journalist Medine Mamedoğlu, who faced charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information" over social media posts about major wildfires in southeastern Turkey, has been cleared of all accusations. The investigation, launched under Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code, concluded with a decision of non-prosecution.
The wildfires, which occurred in June between the Çınar district of Diyarbakır and the Mazıdağı district of Mardin, caused extensive damage, claiming the lives of 15 people and injuring 78 others. Photos of animals that could not be rescued from burning forests and farms, reportedly due to insufficient intervention, sparked public outcry at the perceived inadequacy of the response. The incident also generated widespread media coverage and criticism.
The Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had initiated the investigation after Mamedoğlu shared posts on social media regarding the fires. She was accused of spreading misleading information, a charge introduced under controversial legislation in Turkey often referred to as the "censorship law." The law, passed in 2022, has been criticized by rights groups for restricting freedom of expression.
In her statement to police, Mamedoğlu denied the allegations, asserting that her posts were purely journalistic in nature and aimed at informing the public. She emphasized that her actions fell within the scope of her duties as a journalist.
The prosecutor's office ultimately decided to drop the investigation, citing the lack of evidence that her posts went beyond the boundaries of news reporting. The decision noted that the investigation was initiated following a tip-off to the 112 Emergency Call Center. It also highlighted that Mamedoğlu's social media activity involved sharing the opinions of various individuals about the wildfires, which were deemed within the limits of journalistic reporting.
In a related development, İbrahim Eren, an official from the electricity company Dicle Elektrik Dağıtım AŞ (DEDAŞ), also became the subject of a criminal complaint after he stated in an interview with Mamedoğlu that the fire was caused by sparks from electrical wires. A separate investigation into Eren, under the same "misleading information" law, has been launched.
The case has drawn attention to the broader implications of Turkey's censorship law, which has been criticized by press freedom organizations for its vague provisions and potential misuse to silence dissenting voices.
