Disinformation Law decision from the Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court rejected the request for the cancellation of the article of the Disinformation Law, known as the "Censorship Law", which stipulates a prison sentence for the offense of "publicly disseminating misleading information".

The Republican People's Party had applied to the Constitutional Court for the cancellation and stay of execution of the article added to the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).

Article 217/A added to the Turkish Penal Code is as follows: 

"Publicly disseminating misleading information: (1) Anyone who publicly disseminates untrue information about the internal and external security, public order, and public health of the country with the sole purpose of creating anxiety, fear, or panic among the public, in a way that is conducive to disrupting public peace, shall be sentenced to imprisonment from 1 year to 3 years. (2) If the perpetrator commits the offense by concealing his true identity or within the framework of the activities of an organization, the penalty imposed according to the first paragraph shall be increased by half."

On 14 October 2022, journalists demanding the cancellation of the "Censorship Law" passed by the Parliament started a press vigil in front of the Supreme Court today.

Since the law came into force on 18 October 2022, more than 30 journalists have been arrested. Journalist Tolga Şardan was arrested on the grounds of the law.