Concerns about online censorship have been growing since the Turkish parliament passed the much-criticized law to “combat disinformation.” In the near future you will see many arbitrary investigations and court cases, said Yamam Akdeniz, a member of the Freedom of Expression Association (iFÖD), the German Press Agency. “Some media outlets will inevitably engage in self-censorship – this new regulation may silence social media users.”
The majority of MPs voted in favor of the legislative package on Thursday, state-run Anadolu News Agency reported. Among other things, the new regulations provide for up to three years in prison for the dissemination of “false information”. The ruling AK party holds a majority in the Turkish parliament with its partner, the ultra-nationalist party MHP. The design came from both of them.
The article about the spread of false information in particular caused a lot of discussion. Accordingly, there is a risk of one to three years in prison if, for example, “false information” about the country’s internal and external security or public order is spread with the motive of causing concern. Opposition and critics had been mobilizing against the bill for weeks, describing it as a “censorship law.” The law also provides new rules for online media. Journalists’ associations warned it could turn into one of the toughest censorship and self-censorship mechanisms in the history of the Turkish Republic.