How would you react if your country’s government, imposed fines on big social media companies including those within the platforms you use every day? The Turkish people are undergoing a situation of increased media censorship and widespread of disinformation. What does this mean exactly and how did this start?
Media Censorship is basically when there is an underlying motive behind keeping citizens of a particular state ignorant to various sources of information that could potentially harm whoever holds power in that same state. Disinformation is incorrect information that is often also misleading which inherently becomes dangerous as its objective is to deceive individuals.
Turkey’s rank considering their freedom index has been decreasing every year. As of May 31, 2022, a new draft for legislation involving “disinformation” is currently being reviewed and is almost ready for implementation. Making disinformation a crime sounds like a good thing, right? This law will make internet and media freedoms fall further down the scale. This disinformation bill will introduce further restrictions regarding the free circulation of various types of information. In fact, 40 different clauses that cover internet regulations all the way to press law are incorporated within this bill.
It sounds like history is repeating itself. During the communist regime, Central European voices were silenced if they went against the ideology that was being fed to the citizens under the rule. Now as my reader learns about this, Turkey is attempting to shut down any voice that doesn’t follow that of which the press is releasing specifically relating to that of the president’s beliefs. Imagine not having any freedom of speech! This bill will significantly impact the work of journalists as well as the knowledge shared with the citizens of Turkey.
Now, I understand my reader may be thinking, “Who is doing this?” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is enforcing the law which allows detainment of individuals by security forces who are responsible for posts deemed suspicious that may be linked to disinformation or potential terrorist organizations.
As many social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter post news related content, journalists in Turkey are being limited with their abilities and freedom to post for the citizens. They are getting very frustrated, rightfully so. Most of these platforms have hired individual representatives after they have received fines for the posting of certain content and been asked for content and accounts to be deleted. Twitteris the only platform that is resisting the pressure instilled by the Turkish government. It makes you wonder what happens to the people that do post unwarranted content on these platforms?
Various human rights groups and opposition parties see this new law and the fines they give to social media platforms as President Erdogan’s most recent attempt to control social media as a whole and silence any critics that he has. The increase in media censorship is reaping havoc on the journalism industry as the people are no longer relying on news sources to give them guaranteed valid news.
According to journalist Emre Kızılkaya, who is head of the Turkish sector of the Vienna-based International Press Institute, the law is trying to criminalize what authorities would call “disinformation,” but fail to define what that term refers to. Journalists from the Vienna-based International Press institute have come out condemning this bill. When someone fails to explain something with serious repercussions it makes one have low trust with that force trying to implement it. Would my reader agree?
I believe most individuals are ignorant to the situation going on Turkey. Media platforms are the main source of relevant information one keeps up with in order to know what is going on wherever they may be. What would you do if you lived in a state with an outward spread of disinformation, as well as significant media censorship? Have all solutions been exhausted that would help solve the issue of disinformation, not only in Turkey, but throughout the World? This issue can be deciphered to help and find solutions for the state undergoing such laws, but also on a global basis as this can serve as a lesson to us all.
Social Media @ CIEE Prague 
I believe there should be consequences for the spread of disinformation but it is clear in this case that the Turkish government is solely using this law as a means to increase power and suppress the voice of its citizens. As a journalist I too would be furious by the new law. However, I also understand people must be scared. This new law is challenging on a multitude of levels as it deals with ethics/morals, employment/unemployment, and imprisonment/the law.
LikeLike