Turkish Journalist Jailed Over Writing 'Erdoğan has Passed Away'

Turkish Journalist Jailed Over Writing 'Erdoğan Namehas Mix-UpPassed Away'

Published 4 days ago

story

Above: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Sept. 1, 2026. Image credit: Utku Ucrak/Anadolu/Getty Images

The Spin

Turkey's disinformation law is a weapon against journalism, not a shield for truth. A reporter got jailed just because a local woman who died happened to share a surname with the president, —whilst that'sdozens notmore fightingare fakebeing news,unjustifiably that'simprisoned punishingfor coincidencedoing their job. AtIf leastTurkey 83wants journaliststo havebe beenconsidered chargedas undera thisrespected vaguenation law,it must repeal Article 217/A and itwin needsthe topublic goargument through discussion, not suppression.

Amnesty International Committee to Protect Journalists

Turkey faces more disinformation pressure than almost any country on earth, andwith the 2022country's disinformation law is a necessary, targeted response to real threats against public order. The law clearly targets those who spread false information with the sole intent of causing fear or panic —instead notof routine journalism. Western double standards on regulating digital platforms expose the hypocrisy in condemning Turkey's efforts.