26 June 2001
RESTRICTIVE MEDIA LAW STILL A CONCERN DESPITE PRESIDENT'S VETO
On 18 June, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer vetoed a restrictive new media law after it had passed through parliament, reports the International Press Institute (IPI). However, the organisation notes that if parliament passes the law again, without any changes, then the president will be forced to ratify it. IPI says that introduction of the law "could cripple independent media in Turkey and poses a great threat to journalists." Among IPI's concerns are the limited representation of professional journalists on the media governing body (RTÜK), new restrictions on the publication of information on the Internet and dramatic increases in fines for press offences. There are also concerns that the new law will lead to an increase in the concentration of ownership of the Turkish media, notes IPI. For more information, see www.freemedia.at.">http://www.freemedia.at">www.freemedia.at.
Upon vetoing the law, President Sezer said the measure imposed ''rules that are not compatible with democratic traditions, basic rights and freedoms and constitutional principles," reports the European Journalism Centre. Sezer also said the measure would have broken Turkey's promises to the European Union, which Turkey hopes to join some day, to carry out democratic reforms.
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