How Did the World Press Respond to the Social Media Law?

Social media regulation was discussed in the Turkish Grand National Assembly and became law. For the law, which will come into force on October 1, 2020, the Netzdg law in Germany was taken as a reference during the drafting phase. Especially in our country Has more than 1 million users The law, which imposes serious responsibilities on companies, contained articles that appeared user-oriented. 

Social media companies should include easier complaint systems in their applications, allowing them to access complaints and legal notifications. Reply within 48 hours was made mandatory. In addition, all social network provider companies will be required to have a representative in our country, whether a real person or a legal entity. There is also criticism that the law will increase censorship practices on social media. 

The world press put Turkey's social media law on the agenda. pertaining to the law Many headlines were made in the foreign pressExpert opinions on the subject were shared. We have made a summary compilation for you. 

Human Rights Watch: “Türkiye: Social Media Law Will Increase Censorship”

The US-based international non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch published an article about Turkey's new law on its official page. Tom Porteous, one of the directors of the organization, said, “The government will gain more control over social media, individual users can be arbitrarily targeted. “Social media is a vital right for many people, and this law could signal that we have entered a new era of online censorship.” he said. 

Porteous's statements in the Turkish Grand National Assembly lawless It agrees with the opposition parties. There is also a perspective that the law is implemented not to purify social media in Turkey, but to strengthen control. 

Amnesty International: “Türkiye: Draconian social media law poses major threat to freedom of expression”

The harshest statement about the law belongs to Amnesty International. Press release from Amnesty, which works on human rights with 7 million members worldwide; It was cited by many foreign media organizations, citizens of other countries read the law in Turkey with these lines.

Andrew Gardner, Amnesty International Türkiye Researcher, “Users in Turkey have to practice self-censorship for fear of blaming the authorities.” He made a statement. Amnesty's a radical attitude with the law in Turkey quite harshly It is possible to say that he criticized the country and to see that these criticisms also appeared in the foreign press.

Reuters, UK: “Türkiye passes law to regulate social media”

Reuters published a headline stating that the law is a controversial regulation. Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın It reminds us of his previous statement that "it is an arrangement that will not lead to censorship". However, the news also states the detail that the UN Human Rights official "offered the administration more control tools over social media."

France 24, France: “Türkiye adopts controversial law regulating social media”

France 24 published the text served by Reuters verbatim, only in the title of its news. detail that the law is controversial drew attention. 

Channel New Asia, Singapore: “Türkiye is tightening control on social media with the new law”

CNA, one of the largest news organizations based in Asia, asked Prof. who works at Istanbul Bilgi University for Turkey's new law. Yaman Akdeniz's "Why now?" He included his statement in his news. Moreover İbrahim Kalın's statement "There are no obstacles" He also reminded his readers.

The New York Times, USA: “Turkish Parliament Approves Social Media Law with New Powers”

Stating that the law was "approved despite censorship debates", The New York Times pointed out that "companies such as Facebook and Twitter are obliged to open representative offices to respond to the complaints of users in Turkey". He also stated that the opposition called the law "censorship law".

According to The New York Times, the "most worrying" regulation in the 9-article law is the regulation of companies. “Users in Turkey are obliged to keep their data in Turkey” happened. Pointing out that there are 54 million social media users in Turkey, NYT also stated that social media companies have not yet made a statement regarding the regulation.

Financial Times, UK: “Türkiye threatens to shut down social media sites with draconian new law”

In fact, the Financial Times, which is owned by the Japan-based Nikkei newspaper but published in London, defines the new law as "a law aimed at shutting down social media sites." Hannah Murphy, one of the FT's editors working in AnkaraThe news written by attracts attention as one of the most critical news in the foreign press.

Reflections of the social media law on the world press; It is mostly critical and in some contexts, it contains details where opposing discourses against the decision are intense. From 1 October 2020 We will continue to provide details about the social media law that will be implemented.