Turkiye: Gözde Bedeloğlu on Trial for “Insulting” Public Official
Politician from Nationalist Movement files complaint against journalist
Location: Turkiye, Istanbul
Date: February 22, 2024
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the ongoing legal proceedings against Gözde Bedeloğlu, a journalist for BirGün, who is currently facing charges of "insulting a public official" in Istanbul, Turkiye, filed by a Nationalist Movement Party politician. The trial of Bedeloğlu, which has been postponed until May 23, 2024, is a testament to the broader issue of legal mechanisms being exploited to intimidate journalists and stifle critical reporting in Turkiye. Women Press Freedom urges the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance to dismiss all charges against Bedeloğlu immediately, recognizing the essential role of journalism in a democratic society and the need to protect journalists from baseless legal attacks.
On February 22, 2024, at a hearing at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, the prosecutor demanded the punishment of columnist Gözde Bedeloğlu for the alleged crime of "insulting a public official due to their duty."
The journalist is facing charges after Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) politician Sermet Atay filed a complaint against her. He alleges Bedeloğlu insulted him in her April 2023 column.
In her article Bedeloğlu describes Sermet Atay as a notable figure of FETÖ, referring to the Gülen movement, a group designated as terrorist by the state and accused of orchestrating a coup attempt in Turkiye in 2016. Bedeloğlu wrote that despite his alleged connections, Atay was included on the candidate list for MHP for elections, suggesting that the party either didn’t believe the allegations or is willing to overlook them for political reasons.
In response to Atay’s accusations, Bedeloğlu states, "I reported on allegations that can be obtained from open sources. There is no intention to insult in my article."
Her trial has been postponed until May 23, 2024.
In Turkiye journalists are often dragged to court on allegations of “insulting public officials.” Often accused journalists face years of hearings before a decision is made by. Journalists can be imprisoned for up to two years if convicted but typically the charge results in fines. However, these nuisance lawsuits consume financial resources, time and often require numerous court appearances. It is evident that this legislation is being abused by those in power to target journalists who voice criticism of politicians or employees of the government or military. Women Press Freedom has documented many cases of women journalists facing similar charges to Bedeloğlu. The frequency with which these allegations are used to legally harass journalists suggest it is an effective way for public figures to intimidate journalists or encourage self-censorship among those reporting.
Women Press Freedom unequivocally denounces Sermet Atay's attempt to silence Gözde Bedeloğlu through legal intimidation. We call upon the court to swiftly dismiss the charges against her, recognizing the importance of protecting journalistic integrity and demand an end to the persistent legal harassment of journalists in Turkiye.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.