ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s highest court on Wednesday upheld a controversial media law that mandates prison terms for people deemed to be spreading “disinformation,” rejecting the main opposition party’s request for its annulment.
It was approved in parliament a year ago with the votes of legislators from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party and its nationalist allies, heightening concerns over media freedoms and free speech in the country.
The main opposition party had petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking its annulment, arguing that the law would be used to further silence government critics by cracking down on social media and independent reporting.
Freedom of expression and media freedoms have declined dramatically in Turkey over the years.
Currently, 19 journalists or media sector workers are behind bars, according to the Journalists’ Union of Turkey.
Persons:
Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s, Tolga Sardan, Erdogan
Organizations:
—, Anadolu Agency, Borders, Journalists ’ Union of
Locations:
ANKARA, Turkey, Journalists ’ Union of Turkey