Successive Access Ban Decisions on Social Media Spark Controversy
Access to the accounts of many media outlets and non-governmental organizations has been blocked by the decision of the Bakırköy 4th Criminal Judgeship of Peace. Legal experts state that this situation violates the principle of proportionality.
By the decision of the Bakırköy 4th Criminal Judgeship of Peace, access to the social media accounts of numerous institutions, including the Evrensel newspaper, Amnesty International, and Academics for Peace, has been blocked. Legal experts have criticized the practice.
Accounts Subject to Access Bans
With the decision of the Bakırköy 4th Criminal Judgeship of Peace dated September 13, access bans were imposed on various social media accounts. Among the blocked accounts are the Evrensel newspaper, Amnesty International, Academics for Peace, MLSA, and ALİKEV.
Debates on the Principle of Proportionality
Lawyer Mustafa Atahan Öztürk stated that blocking entire accounts instead of specific content is contrary to the principle of proportionality. It was pointed out that these practices restrict freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
National Security as Justification
It was stated that the decisions were taken on the grounds of protecting national security and public order. Experts argue that leaving these concepts abstract leads to a lack of oversight for such decisions.
Freedom of the Press and Expression
It was emphasized that the decisions targeting journalists and news organizations constitute a violation of press freedom. It was stated that there is an attempt to make the truth invisible in Turkey.