A victory for transparency or a gimmick for critics of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government? Turkey’s latest legislative initiative predicts that in the future, media using foreign funds will bear special obligations.

The bill proposed by the ultra-nationalist MHP party stipulates that if an organization and its "information dissemination activities" are funded by foreign funds, they should be given a "special status." Therefore, individuals and organizations will be "clearly" identified.

In addition, media that receive funds directly or indirectly from abroad must nominate a representative in Turkey. The "media representative" must be registered and accountable to the Turkish Ministry of Interior.

In Turkey, approximately 95% of print and television media are already controlled by companies that are closely related to the ruling Islamic Conservative Party, AKP. As a result, opposition forces turned to small alternative online platforms such as Mediascope, Mezapotamya News or T24.

These media have only a small budget, but they often receive financial support from abroad-including public funds and private funds. What bothers the Turkish government is that these funds usually come from European countries. The legislative measures of the MHP can now ensure that this source of revenue is exhausted.

Foreign platforms or people who have not appointed a foreign representative or have not contacted the Ministry of the Interior may soon face 2 to 5 years in prison or fines of up to 1 million lire.

Feti Yildiz, deputy leader of the MHP, claimed that the proposed law is about transparency: "Our goal is to reveal who is doing what. Because some people and organizations only receive funds with a clear intent to engage in counter-terrorism activities. —— Government activities under the guise of freedom of the press.” Yildiz believes that the proposed law should not affect large foreign broadcasters such as the British BBC or Deutsche Welle, because the sources of revenue for these broadcasters are transparent.

But there are also foreign media, Ildiz continued, using these funds to criticize the Turkish government. "This is what we are trying to prevent." Yildiz emphasized that his party's proposal is not to restrict freedom of journalism. "We have no problems with press freedom. Anyone who reads the proposed legislation correctly will understand what we mean."

Fehrettin Altun, Director of Communications at the Presidential Palace, also commented on the proposed legislation: “We will complete the arrangements we need as soon as possible to protect public order and ensure the people’s right to real news.”

On the other hand, journalists’ organizations felt another blow to press freedom. The International Press Institute (IPI) Turkish Coordinator Renan Akyavas revealed that they are currently trying to obtain more information about the bill proposed by the MHP-which is why they are seeking to talk to members of Congress.

"The MHP's proposal poses a serious threat to the media (...). We are very concerned (...). The MHP wants to cut funds used to protect independent journalism. But we will resist," Akyavas Say.

"This has nothing to do with freedom of the press"

Yusuf Kanli, vice chairman of the Turkish Journalists Association, pointed out that foreign-funded media platforms have reported to the Ministry of Finance and regularly publish annual reports.

"What is happening now is that any journalist who receives funding (from abroad) is branded," Canley explained. "The branding of journalists is a hot issue and has nothing to do with freedom of the press. We will not accept this."

Esra Kocak, the head of the Ankara Turkish Journalists Association, was also shocked. She said that it is no secret that the MHP and the ruling Islamic Conservative Party AKP are doing everything they can to increase the pressure on the media.

"People are free to choose to get news from abroad. The government is aware of this and is now trying to close these channels or intimidate independent media through punishment." She said her association will work hard to ensure that they are not economically exhausted or viewed as propaganda. By.

In recent years, Turkey has placed increasing pressure on independent media organizations. With the promulgation of Media Law No. 5651 in October last year, the Turkish government has also significantly strengthened its control over online content.

For example, the law requires platforms with more than 1 million users to open branches in Turkey. If Twitter or others refuse to open a representative office on Turkish territory, the Turkish courts can limit its scope of influence up to 95%.

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