The main opposition party’s bid to have a controversial media law that imposes jail sentences on those found to be disseminating “disinformation” annulled was denied by Turkey’s top court on Wednesday.
The law stipulates that social media users or journalists found guilty of disseminating information regarded to be “contrary to the truth” about public health, public order, or both might face up to three years in prison.
With the support of lawmakers from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party and its nationalist allies, it was approved in parliament a year ago, raising concerns about free speech and media liberties in the nation.
The primary opposition party has petitioned the Constitutional Court to have the law annulled, claiming that by repressing independent media and social media, the bill would be used to further suppress critics of the administration.
During a meeting on Wednesday, the court’s justices, however, denied the motion by a majority vote, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency. The verdict was not further explained.
Since the law’s implementation last year, some thirty persons have faced legal action, according to the Cumhuriyet newspaper.
Investigative journalist Tolga Sardan was legally detained by police last week on charges of spreading false information regarding his reporting on claims of judicial corruption.
A few days later, the journalist—who works for the online news outlet T24—was freed, subject to his regular reporting to authorities and the outcome of his trial. He was prohibited from leaving the country as well.
Erdogan, who claimed that false information and the rise of “digital fascism” posed a threat to both national and international security, has long advocated for legislation to combat disinformation and fake news.
Over time, Turkey’s media and speech freedoms have drastically decreased. Turkey is ranked 165th out of 180 nations in terms of press freedom by Reporters Without Borders. The Journalists’ Union of Turkey reports that there are now 19 journalists or media industry employees incarcerated.
