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              | Date: 2001-06-06 
 
 TR: Webpublishing mit Hindernissen-.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.-
 
 Ein neues Mediengesetz in der Türkei weist in Bezug aufs Internet
 locker jenen Grad an Idiotie auf, den das Spanische LSSI enthält.
 
 http://www.quintessenz.at/archiv/msg01521.html
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 Relayed via "Canadian Journalists for Free Expression"
 <cjfe@cjfe.org>
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 ACTION ALERT UPDATE - TURKEY
 
 5 June 2001
 
 IPI expresses concern over draft media law
 
 SOURCE: International Press Institute (IPI), Vienna
 
 **Updates IFEX alert of 24 May 2001**
 
 (IPI/IFEX) - In a 5 June 2001 letter to Turkish Prime Minister Bülent
 Ecevit, IPI expressed deep concern over a draft media law that
 would require Internet websites in Turkey to submit their pages to
 the authorities prior to publication.
 
 According to IPI sources, if the draft law is passed, website
 operators would be forced to hand over copies of pages to a
 prosecutor and a governor's office before they can post them on the
 Internet. All electronic broadcasts carrying text or pictures would
 be affected by the proposed legislation. In addition, the draft law
 would also oblige new Internet service providers to obtain
 permission from the authorities before starting operations.
 
 The requirement to submit material to the authorities, prior to its
 publication, is an undue restriction on freedom of the media and
 expression. It could be used by the authorities to prevent
 publication of material deemed harmful to their interests, including
 criticism or other forms of discourse that are healthy and
 necessary parts of public debate in democratic societies. Indeed,
 judging by recent actions taken against websites in Turkey, it
 would appear that the draft law could provide the authorities with
 further power to censor information before it is published, which is
 in contradiction with internationally accepted standards.
 
 On 16 February, it was reported that the website www.subay.net
 was taken off the Internet after it allegedly insulted the Turkish
 army. IPI believes that the proposed law could be used in a similar
 way by the authorities to control what is being published on the
 Internet. Consequently, it is in gross violation of Article 10.1 of the
 European Convention on Human Rights to which Turkey is bound.
 This Article guarantees the ".freedom to hold opinions and to
 receive and impart information and ideas without interference by
 public authority and regardless of frontiers."
 
 RECOMMENDED ACTION:
 
 Send appeals to the prime minister: - urging him to take the
 necessary steps to ensure that any legislation introduced
 concerning the media is in line with internationally accepted
 standards - requesting that the current draft law be withdrawn
 
 APPEALS TO:
 
 His Excellency Bülent Ecevit Prime Minister of the Republic of
 Turkey Prime Minister's Office Ankara, Turkey Fax: +90 312 417
 57 43
 
 Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
 
 For further information, contact IPI at Spiegelgasse 2, A-1010
 Vienna, Austria, tel: +43 1 512 90 11, fax: +43 1 512 90 14, e-mail:
 Michael Kudlak at mkudlak@freemedia.at, or Barbara Trionfi at
 info@freemedia.at, Internet site: www.freemedia.at
 
 
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 edited by Harkank
 published on: 2001-06-06
 comments to office@quintessenz.at
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