The International Press Institute (IPI) condemns the coordinated efforts by the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) to intimidate journalists reporting on the trial regarding the murder of Sinan Ateş. The MHP’s recent petition to the court, which openly targeted 63 prominent journalists, is a direct attack on press freedom and an attempt to intimidate the media.
IPI calls on the Turkish government and all political parties to respect the role of the press and to ensure the safety of journalists.
MHP’s petition accusing 63 journalists of slandering the party
Sinan Ateş, a former leader of the Grey Wolves, Turkish far-right political movement and the youth wing of the Nationalist Movement Party, was assassinated in Ankara on December 30, 2022 and the police investigation of this case was stalled.
During a recent hearing in the Sinan Ateş murder case, legal experts from the Turkish government ally MHP filed a petition claiming the MHP was a “victim” and sought to participate in the case as an “aggrieved party.” The court denied this request.
The petition accused various groups, including investigative journalists. MHP’s lawyers submitted a hard disk with television programs and an extensive list of 154 individuals, including 63 journalists, as well as prominent politicians such as the leader of the main opposition party, academics, lawyers, and researchers. The petition requested that these individuals be summoned to court for questioning over “having systematically slandered MHP in alliance with global powers”, which can be seen as an effort to silence them through legal means and discourage further reporting on the case.
This derogatory labeling, in the form of a blacklist, is a clear attempt to discredit these journalists. This list not only targets critical voices but also exemplifies an attempt to intimidate the judiciary. By pressuring the legal system, the petition undermines the independence of the judiciary and seeks to criminalize journalism.
Among the journalists targeted are several prominent journalists. They have been openly accused of acting as “agents of influence” by MHP spokespersons because of their investigative journalism. The accusation is particularly serious in the context of Turkey, where press freedom is already under significant pressure, and such labeling can have severe repercussions for the journalists’ safety and ability to work.
Local press freedom organizations including Turkish Journalists’ Association (TGC), Progressive Journalists Association (ÇGD) and Journalists’ Union Of Turkey (TGS) also condemned MHP’s threats and accusations against journalists. They emphasized that such targeting undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society and jeopardizes the safety and ability of journalists to work freely.
Continued targeting of journalists by far-right party
This is not the first time that MHP has targeted journalists. Most recently, on June 13, 2024, journalists Gözde Şeker and İbrahim Kahveci, hosts of Halk TV’s ‘Red Line’ program, received threatening messages from MHP members following their criticism of the party and its leader during their broadcast. Two weeks later, MHP leader Bahçeli accused the journalists of constantly criticizing the party and its institutions, suggesting they were manipulating information.
On October 10, 2023, Deutsche Welle (DW) Turkish service reporter Alican Uludağ published a news report revealing developments about the controversial case of Sinan Ateş. Following his report, Yönter, deputy leader of MHP, shared a post on his X account, threatening Uludağ by saying “If you do not prove these disgusting claims, you are a vile and shameful slanderer. We will settle the score in the judiciary.”
Several incidents against journalists for investigating the Sinan Ateş case
Numerous journalists encountered threats, legal charges, and intimidation due to their investigative reporting on the Sinan Ateş murder case. On April 24, 2024, Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office filed a lawsuit against T24 journalist Asuman Aranca, who faces up to 3 years in prison on charges of “violating confidentiality.” The prosecutor prepared the indictment citing her reports on the murder of Sinan Ateş as evidence, claiming that “even though the subject may be considered newsworthy, the manner in which the developments were delivered, together with its content and visuals, exceeded the limits of reporting.”
On June 21, 2024, in an article published in pro-government Türkgün newspaper, journalists Murat Ağırel, Barış Pehlivan, Timur Soykan, and Barış Terkoğlu were targeted due to their coverage of the murder case. In the article, written by Kadir Yıldız, the journalists were openly singled out.
On July 5, 2024, Kılıç, Deputy Chairman of Grey Wolves, targeted journalists İsmail Saymaz, Erk Acarer, Barış Terkoğlu, Alican Uludağ, and Timur Soykan with a tweet implying violence.
We reiterate our call on the Turkish government to ensure that journalists can carry out their work without facing intimidation and threats. Politicians must refrain from any form of harassment against journalists and authorities must take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of journalists.
This statement was produced by IPI as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and candidate countries, funded by the European Commission.
