Hasan Taşkın: Shutting down online news outlets is unconstitutional
UCWEP President Hasan Taşkın, in his statement about the closure of Medyaradar Website, stated that such decisions violate constitutional rights and freedoms.
Taşkın said, “Access barriers to websites, news and social media posts are increasing in Türkiye. This situation is contrary to Articles 13 and 28 of the Constitution.”
**Article 13 of the Constitution:**
Article 13 of the Constitution states that the essence of fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be touched. This article ensures that the rights of every individual are protected and that these rights are not arbitrarily restricted.
**Article 28 of the Constitution:**
Article 28 of the Constitution states that the press is free and cannot be censored. The state is obliged to ensure freedom of the press and information. This article protects the freedom of the press and the public’s right to access accurate information.
Taşkın said, “Istanbul 3rd Criminal Court of Peace’s decision to block access to Medyaradar is against these constitutional provisions. Our Constitution is the guarantee of freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Access blocking decisions should not restrict the public’s right to receive news and learn the facts.”
**Press Law and Fundamental Rights:**
Hasan Taşkın also drew attention to Article 3 of the Press Law No. 5187. This article protects the freedom of the press and this freedom; It clearly states that it includes the rights to obtain information, disseminate, criticize, interpret and create works.
Finally, Taşkın said, “According to the Constitution, everyone has the right to information, news, free thought, expression and free criticism. Freedom of press and publication, which is the main way of exercising freedom of thought and expression, is one of the fundamental human rights and is constitutionally guaranteed in the democratic state of law.”
Taşkın stated that access blocking decisions should not turn into censorship of the public’s right to receive news and learn the truth, and emphasized that such decisions have a deterrent effect on press freedom.
