Defendants: Batuhan Çolak, Canan Kaya

Media Outlet and Position: Medya Koridoru and Aykırı newssites – Editors-in-chief

Accusations: Defamation

Possible sentence: 50,000 TL Compensation

Court: Bakırköy 6. Civil Court, Istanbul

Case Background:

Demirören Media Group, the media branch of a pro-government conglomerate, filed a libel lawsuit against Canan Kaya, the editor-in-chief of Medya Koridoru news site, and Batuhan Çolak, the editor-in-chief of Aykırı news site, over news reports published on May 16, 2020 concerning the alleged dismissal of a security personnel at Demirören Media for stepping on executive floor carpets with shoes.  Several other news outlets including Tele1 TV, İleri Haber, Ajanshaber news sites reported on the issue were also among the respondents.

Demirören Media claims 50,000 Turkish lira of non-pecuniary damage of two journalists and other media outlets. The first hearing took place on November 12, 2020.

During the first hearing, the court reported that the complaint about journalist Çolak was withdrawn.

During the second hearing on February 2, 2021, the court requested of the case file of the ongoing labour lawsuit between the security personnel dismissed and Demirören Media for examination.

The trial was adjourned until April 1, 2021.