The deliberations of the 40-item “press and social media”-focused bill submitted by the AKP and MHP to the Grand National Assembly at the Parliamentary Judiciary Committee on May 26 has begun. According to the draft, in which the first 9 articles were accepted, it includes some sanctions against the press and social media.

Along with the regulations for issuing or withdrawing the press pass, the “public dissemination of misleading information” in the press is considered a crime under this bill.

What will change with the proposals called “The Press Act and Amendments to Certain Subjects”?

• Internet news sites fall under the scope of the Press Act.
• Again, Internet news sites fall under the definition of “periodic broadcasts”.
• The Press Advertising Agency may request that publication be suspended.
• Due to fake news, the retention period of the disclaimers published by the websites on their homepages is shortened from 7 days to 1 day.
• New issues and terms related to the issuance and cancellation of the press card will be determined (these details have not yet been shared with the public).
• The Istanbul Courts of First Instance will be tasked with issuing a statement to the Press Advertisement Agency and stopping the statement from being published.
• Those who leave the news realm, that is, those who abuse and abuse their journalistic duties, are punished.
• Spreading misleading information on the Internet will be considered a crime.
• The legal definition of the terms “Internet news site, Communications Director, Communications Directorate, Press Card Committee, Member of the Media, Information Officer” will be drawn up.

It should be noted that during the negotiations of the regulation at the Parliamentary Justice Committee, discussions also took place between the names representing the parties. The proposal is expected to be adopted as a result of discussions in the committee. We will continue to share developments with you.