Articles by IPS Communication Foundation – Bianet
As acquittal overturned, two academics face possible imprisonment for “inciting hatred” over report on minorities
(BIANET/IFEX) – Professors Ibrahim Kaboglu and Baskin Oran were acquitted on 10 May 2007 of “inciting to hatred and hostility” with the publication of the Minority Rights and Cultural Rights Working Group report. However, a court of appeal has now overturned the acquittal. The two have been on trial since 14 November 2005 under Article […]
“Gündem” newspaper suspended for 30 days for publishing two articles by Kurdish leader
(BIANET/IFEX) – The Istanbul 12th Penal Court has decreed that “Gündem” newspaper be suspended for 30 days as punishment for publishing two articles by Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Murat Karayilan. The newspaper was charged with spreading PKK propaganda, under the Anti-Terrorism Law. Editor-in-chief Yüksel Genc pointed out that the newspaper was being punished under […]
Journalist, two editors, fined for publishing interview with Kurdish militant
(BIANET/IFEX) – The Istanbul 10th Penal Court has sentenced “Hürriyet” newspaper journalist Sebati Karakurt to an advance payment of 455 YTL (approx. US$350). Karakurt is being tried for an interview he conducted with Kurdish Kongra-Gel militants on Kandil Mountain in Northern Iraq. He faces a possible prison sentence. Hasan Kilic and Necdet Tatlican, editors at […]
Singer accused of spreading terrorist propaganda
(BIANET/IFEX) – Singer Ferhat Tunc is facing charges for having called for peace, and for reminding people that members of the illegal pro-Kurdish guerilla group PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) and the Maoist Communist Party (MKP) who die are also “children of this country.” At a concert in Alanya (Antalya district, southern Turkey) on 22 July […]
Lawyer to be tried for alleged insult uttered during defence of journalists
(BIANET/IFEX) – Yücel Sayman, the former president of the Istanbul Bar Association, is being tried for insulting nationalist lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz’s lawyers. The insult is alleged to have taken place at a trial of journalists from the “Agos” newspaper for influencing the judiciary. Sayman is to be tried in February 2008 for words he allegedly […]
Authorities block another website following complaint by religious leader; others unblocked
(BIANET/IFEX) – The judiciary in Turkey has again blocked access to a website because of the content of one item on the site. Following the blocking of the alternative dictionary website “Eksisözlük” (literally, “sour dictionary”; http://sozluk.sourtimes.org/Default.asp? ) and the website Antoloji.com ( http://www.antoloji.com/ ), access to the website WordPress.com ( http://wordpress.com/ ) has now also […]
Local journalist detained in Gaziantep, awaits trial over article referring to “North Kurdistan”
(BIANET/IFEX) – Yasin Yetisgen, owner and director of the “Coban Atesi” (“Shepherd’s Fire”) weekly newspaper in Gaziantep, south-eastern Turkey, has been detained since 13 August 2007 for using the expression “North Kurdistan” in one of his articles. He is facing charges of “damaging the unity and integrity of the state” although it is not clear […]
Four websites face lawsuits for reporting on labour issues in media group
(BIANET/IFEX) – Four websites reporting on the obstruction of trade union activities among employees of “Sabah” newspaper have been sued for compensation by Nurdan Acur, human resources manager of the Merkez Newspaper Group. The Modern Journalists’ Association (CGD) has condemned Acur for filing suits against four Internet sites which had posted items about her and […]