The Turkish government is working on a controversial new spy bill that has drawn comparisons to Russia’s stringent foreign agent law, raising alarms about potential severe restrictions on freedom of expression. The proposed legislation, reported by the Ankara-based Anka News Agency, threatens imprisonment for individuals working on behalf of foreign entities perceived to oppose Turkish state interests.
Broad and Vague Definitions
Pro-government newspaper Yeni Şafak disclosed that the spy bill aims to combat “influence agents” accused of spreading anti-Turkey propaganda, particularly on social media. TRT Haber, the state news outlet, also confirmed the government’s intention to delineate a new category of espionage linked to foreign intelligence agencies.
Critics fear that this broad and vaguely defined spy bill could easily be wielded against journalists, civil society activists, and ordinary citizens. Özgür Ünlühisarcıklı, the Ankara office director for the German Marshall Fund, expressed concerns to The Media Line that the spy bill might be applied arbitrarily to stifle dissent.
“They often intimidate innocent, law-abiding citizens without effectively deterring potential criminals,” he stated. Ünlühisarcıklı highlighted that foreign-funded NGOs, media organizations, and individual journalists could be instant targets, leading to a scenario where almost anyone could be accused of espionage under the spy bill.
Chilling Effect on Media
The timing of this spy bill is significant given Turkey’s low ranking of 158th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. Although seven journalists are currently imprisoned, the number was considerably higher in previous years. This legislation could further entrench the suppression of independent journalism.
Faced with a crackdown on domestic press, Turkish citizens increasingly rely on Turkish-language content from foreign-funded news sources. However, the government has previously blocked websites like Voice of America and Deutsche Welle for not obtaining necessary licenses, indicating a pattern of stifling foreign perspectives which the spy bill might exacerbate.
Inspired by Russia and Georgia
Ankara’s proposed spy bill mirrors similar legislation in Russia and Georgia. In Russia, a 2012 law targeting “foreign agents” has been a powerful tool for silencing dissent against President Vladimir Putin. In Georgia, a comparable bill has sparked widespread protests, as it mandates NGOs and media with over 20% foreign funding to register as agents of foreign interests. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has condemned this move, highlighting the choice between democratic values and oppressive legislation.
Historical Context of Media Repression
Turkey’s history of media repression intensified following the 2013 Gezi Park protests and worsened post-2016 coup attempt. Reporters Without Borders estimates that 90% of national media is under government control. Prior to last year’s national elections, numerous Kurdish journalists were detained, and recent reports indicate severe measures against journalists covering protests, including the use of tear gas and rubber bullets by police.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that journalists from a pro-Kurdish paper were sentenced to over three years in prison for allegedly aiding a terrorist organization without membership. This ongoing crackdown paints a grim picture of the media landscape in Turkey, which the spy bill could further darken.
Impact of Proposed Spy Bill on Civil Society and Free Expression
The proposed spy bill is seen as a response to the significant losses suffered by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party in the recent local elections. Gürkhan Özturan, a media freedom monitoring officer at the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, indicated that the government aims to suppress civil society and news outlets funded by international donors.
“This spy bill will definitely have a chilling effect,” Özturan stated, predicting further deterioration of media freedom and free expression in Turkey. He emphasized the vulnerability of international news organizations with local employees, anticipating increased scrutiny and potential prosecution under the new spy bill. The Turkish government’s proposed spy bill represents a critical juncture for press freedom and civil society, posing significant threats to democratic principles and freedom of expression. As Turkey edges closer to implementing this legislation, the international community watches with growing concern over the future of its democracy and civil liberties.
