58 Twitter Users Prosecuted For Criticizing State-Run News Agency

A total of 58 people, including veteran journalist Can Dündar, world-renowned pianist Fazıl Say and singer Atilla Taş, have been charged with defamation, libel, threats and instigating the public to animosity, in relation to their Twitter posts criticizing the state-run Anadolu news agency, the Cumhuriyet daily reported on Sunday.

According to the report, among the 58 suspects are also actor Erdal Beşikçioğlu, Cumhuriyet columnist Ahmet Şık, Hürriyet columnist Melis Alphan, Milliyet correspondent Burcu Karakaş, Zaman daily Washington correspondent Ali Halit Arslan, Taraf daily and Today's Zaman columnist Emre Uslu, journalist Metin Uca, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputies Umut Oran and Müslim Sarı.

However, the Cumhuriyet report highlights that the criminal investigation does not feature any defamatory remarks by those accused. Among the tweets mentioned in the prosecutor's case is Say's post that reads, "The Anadolu news agency attempted to manipulate the public by announcing the [election results from] rural areas before the [results from] cities [during the March 30, 2014 local elections]. Dündar's tweet that was included in the case read, "It should be noted that the Anadolu news agency's general director used to be the media adviser to [deputy prime minister] Bülent Arınç."

Alphan's tweet in the case read, "How come this disgraceful Anadolu agency shows this much of a rift [between the ruling party and the main opposition during the elections]? Are these the results from their dreams?"

The CHP's Oran was quoted as saying in a tweet, "Loyal supporters of the CHP, do not credit the news disseminated by the Anadolu news agency."

The prosecutor who is overseeing the criminal investigation against the 58 people also demanded the above mentioned tweets be removed or the accounts from which they were posted be shut down.

The Anadolu news agency and the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), two public institutions that are financed by taxes from the Turkish citizens, have long been subject to criticism for turning into official media organs promoting the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).(Cihan/Today's Zaman)