The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) will present its report, Freedom of Expression in the Shadow of the Censorship Law, on Friday, Feb. 28, at 5:00 p.m. Following the report’s release, a panel discussion will analyze the law’s effects on journalism and free expression in Turkey.
More than two years have passed since Turkey enacted the law criminalizing the “public dissemination of misleading information,” widely known as the "censorship law." The legislation, adopted in 2022 under the pretext of combating disinformation, has led to numerous investigations targeting journalists, human rights defenders, and social media users. Many journalists have been detained or arrested under its provisions.
MLSA’s report examines how the law has been used since its enactment in October 2022, identifying who has been targeted and under what justifications. It highlights how the law has become a tool for suppressing free expression in Turkey.
The event will take place at TGS Academy in Istanbul, where MLSA will publicly share its findings. The report details the legal consequences journalists, activists, and social media users have faced due to the law, shedding light on its broader impact on journalism.
A panel discussion titled The Criminalization of Truth: Reality, Censorship, and Journalism will follow the report’s presentation. Panelists include:
- Evrim Kepenek, a bianet editor facing trial over her reporting on earthquake relief tents
- Candan Yıldız, a journalist investigated for social media posts about journalists killed in Syria
- Banu Tuna, Secretary-General of the Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS)
- Enes Ermaner, a lawyer specializing in press freedom cases
The panel will be moderated by Evin Barış Altıntaş, MLSA’s Co-Director.
Event details:
📅 Date: Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
📍 Location: TGS Academy (Abide-i Hürriyet Caddesi, Bolkan Center C Blok, No: 211, Kat: 1/A, Şişli, Istanbul)
A reception will follow the panel discussion. Those interested in attending are requested to register via the provided link.
