07.08.2026 12:01
Speaking at the 13th Digital Media Workshop held in Iğdır, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek promised full support to TİGAD for placing internet journalism on a legal basis and bringing it under a single roof. Drawing attention to disinformation on social media, Minister Gürlek announced that significant regulations will be implemented with the new social media law coming to Parliament in October.
The 13th Digital Media Workshop organized by the Turkish Internet Journalism Association (TİGAD) has started in Iğdır. The opening speech at the organization, which was also attended by Haberler.com Chairman of the Board Ekrem Teymur and Editor-in-Chief Attorney Bedia Teymur, was made by Justice Minister Akın Gürlek.
"DIGITAL MEDIA MUST BE UNITED UNDER A SINGLE ROOF"
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, who met with journalists at the workshop, drew attention to the need for internet journalism to be united under a single roof and that a new legal regulation is inevitable in line with current needs: "We have very valuable masters here; we know most of them from Istanbul. They must definitely be brought together under a single roof. This should have been considered before, but apparently it wasn't. A need for such a law has emerged according to current needs. If you have a draft law on this matter, we will support it as much as we can in bringing it to the agenda or the parliament's agenda. Or, if you need technical support in drafting the law, our legislation unit is strong. We prepare the legislation for all ministries; we carry out our legal studies. But it would be very beneficial, and I hope it will be auspicious."
TİGAD PRESIDENT GEÇGEL: WE WOULD BE HAPPY IF YOU SUPPORT US
TİGAD President Okan Geçgel, referring to the previously made contacts regarding the draft law, requested support from Justice Minister Gürlek: "Sir, regarding this matter, first of all, our Deputy President Fuat Oktay Bey guided us; during my meeting, at the award ceremony of our Media Ankara Deputy General President, they said, 'Prepare such a draft law, bring it, I will also support it, and let's meet with our Minister.' Therefore, they paved the way for us. We would be very happy if you also support us, sir."
MINISTER GÜRLEK: WHO MAKES REAL NEWS MUST EMERGE, WE ARE READY
Minister Gürlek, reiterating his support upon Geçgel's request, emphasized that the regulation would increase the sense of responsibility and unity in the sector, stating: "I said it, I just expressed my support. Thank you very much, sir. Insha'Allah... This will, first of all, be a unity for you. Everyone is trying to report news on the internet somehow. This requires responsibility, at least to show who does it and who makes real news; there is also the responsibility of the job. This would be beneficial; we are ready to help with whatever falls on us."
"WE FOLLOW EVERYTHING ON THE INTERNET, IT HAS BECOME A POWER"
Minister Gürlek, referring to the power of internet media today and the importance of instant journalism, continued his words: "People try to follow the agenda from your perspective, from the screen you show, especially internet media, which has become very widespread recently. You also put intense effort and labor into this. These workshops are very important; our esteemed President just said this is the thirteenth one. The first workshop was held in my hometown. I hope this workshop will lead to good outcomes. Recently, internet journalism and the internet press have become a power. I myself, for example, follow everything on the internet. It instantly appears on our television, pardon me, on our screen, on our phone screens. Therefore, you also provide news to the internet press live and instantly. I hope the workshop will be beneficial, President. I hope it will be useful for our friends here as well."
"IN OCTOBER, THE SOCIAL MEDIA LAW COMES TO THE PARLIAMENT"
Finally, Minister Akın Gürlek, providing information about the fight against disinformation and the upcoming legal processes, pointed to October and concluded his speech: "As you know, we currently have a social media law; we have studies on this that concern you too. We announced part of it to the press. Now, of course, the main agenda item of our parliament is the Terror-Free Turkey initiative. Insha'Allah, with the Terror-Free Turkey initiative, it will come to the general assembly on Sunday, and on Sunday, Turkey will hopefully wake up to a new morning, a new light. In October, we especially have our social media law. We are introducing important regulations here. Here, especially, you don't do it; we exclude you, but unfortunately, there is disinformation and information pollution on social media. People make accusations against each other based on a news item or an impression, expose each other's private lives, and spread fake news. I attach great importance to this workshop. I want to emphasize once again that TİGAD's activities are important. I would also like to thank our President for inviting us to the program."