Journalist Medine Mamedoğlu faces investigation for reporting on fires between Diyarbakır and Mardin
An investigation has been launched against journalist Medine Mamedoğlu for her reports on fires and allegations of negligence between Diyarbakır and Mardin in southeastern Turkey. Mamedoğlu, who covered the fires that broke out in rural areas between Mardin’s Mazıdağı district and Diyarbakır’s Çınar district on June 20, 2024, was summoned to give a statement, citing her news reports and social media posts. Following a complaint, Mamedoğlu gave her statement to the Diyarbakır Police Department on September 17, 2024. The investigation accuses her of “publicly disseminating misleading information.”
Reflecting on the investigation, Mamedoğlu pointed out that the inquiry was launched due to her coverage of a fire that erupted between Çınar and Mazıdağı, which claimed 15 lives. "Through our interviews, we revealed that the fire was caused by an electrical wire snapping from DEDAŞ (the regional electricity distribution company)," she said. Mamedoğlu added that despite the company’s initial claim that the fire was caused by crop stubble burning, her reporting sought to amplify the voices of local villagers, who opposed this explanation. "The video reports I shared have now come back as accusations of 'spreading false information.' During this period, I was subjected to intense threats and insults. Even though my reports contained no personal commentary, an anonymous complaint led to this investigation," she explained. The social media posts at the center of the allegations were, according to Mamedoğlu, simply videos showcasing the concerns voiced by locals and presented to the public.
Mamedoğlu also criticized the authorities for prioritizing an investigation into her reporting rather than probing potential negligence related to the fire. "The judiciary is questioning journalists like us who try to be the voice of the people, while not questioning those responsible for the negligence that contributed to the fire. Those who don’t want the truth to be known resort to such threats,” she remarked.
Mamedoğlu noted that during her time at the police station, she wasn’t asked about anything specific beyond the images of her news stories and social media posts. "I told them that my posts do not constitute a crime and that they were made as part of my journalistic work. Like previous investigations, this one is targeting journalism and the reports we produce. We will continue working despite these threats. We do not want these investigations to overshadow the real issues—human rights violations and oppression that people experience. We will keep following the legal process that began after the fire and remain the voice of the people,” she concluded.
The fire in June 2024 led to significant criticism of the authorities and DEDAŞ, with many locals expressing frustration over what they viewed as inadequate infrastructure and safety measures. Despite this, investigations have primarily focused on those reporting on the incident rather than those allegedly responsible for the fire.
