Incident
Turkish authorities detain three journalists under 'disinformation' law
Turkish authorities detained three journalists, jailing columnist Tolga Sardan pending trial, under a 2022 law criminalizing the spread of disinformation, after the government's own disinformation-fighting body disputed their reporting on a leaked intelligence document and a story about released prisoners.1
What happened
On November 1 and 2, 2023, Turkish authorities detained T24 columnist Tolga Sardan, Halk TV news editor Dincer Gokce and Kisa Dalga reporter Cengiz Erdinc under Türkiye's 2022 law criminalizing the spread of what officials call disinformation. Sardan was jailed pending trial after writing about an intelligence report on judicial corruption that the government's Center for Combating Disinformation said did not exist. Gokce was released after a court ordered him to read books about journalism, over an article about people released from prison who authorities said had been wrongly described. Erdinc was released the following day. The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Turkish authorities to release Sardan and Erdinc without delay and said the vague law would continue to stifle reporting in the country.123
What reason was given
Stated justificationTurkey's Center for Combating Disinformation denied the existence of the intelligence report Sardan had written about, and authorities said Gokce's article about released prisoners had proven inaccurate.123
What changed for reporting
A columnist was jailed pending trial and another journalist was ordered by a court to read books about journalism, over stories the government's own disinformation body disputed rather than a court finding of falsity through an ordinary defamation process.2
Timeline
2023
Who acted
| Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time |
|---|---|---|
| Recep Tayyip Erdoğan | other | President of Türkiye |
| Turkish Center for Combating Disinformation | enforced | Government body that disputes reporting it deems false |
Sources
- In Turkey, 3 journalists detained for 'disinformation,' one jailed, 3 others under investigation
- Journalists criticize Turkey's disinformation law: 'Any information not from the government is labeled false'
Claims and evidence
Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.
- CPJ called on Turkish authorities to release Sardan and Erdinc without delay under the disinformation law.
Turkish authorities should stop using this law against journalists; release columnist Tolga Sardan and reporter Cengiz Erdinc without delay
In Turkey, 3 journalists detained for 'disinformation,' one jailed, 3 others under investigation, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2023-11-03.Claim 461, checked 2026-09-22. - CPJ said the vague disinformation law would continue to stifle reporting in Türkiye.
vague law criminalizing disinformation would stifle reporting in the country and they have been proven correct.
In Turkey, 3 journalists detained for 'disinformation,' one jailed, 3 others under investigation, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2023-11-03.Claim 1010, checked 2026-09-22. - A Turkish journalist said any information not sourced from the government was treated as false under the law.
Any information not sourced from the government is deemed false.
Journalists criticize Turkey's disinformation law: 'Any information not from the government is labeled false', Media and Law Studies Association, 2023-01-10.Claim 463, checked 2026-09-22.