Turkish journalist groups slam bill to fight disinformation

By ZEYNEP BILGINSOY and SUZAN FRASER
Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s parliament is debating a controversial draft law the government says is aimed at combating fake news and disinformation but which critics denounce as yet another attempt to stifle freedom of expression. The 40-article piece of legislation being debated on Tuesday includes an amendment that would criminalize the spreading of “fake news” with a sentence of up to three years in prison. Critics say the law is too vague and would allow the government to crack down on independent journalism. Representatives of various Turkish journalists’ associations, wearing black face masks, gathered outside parliament in Ankara, urging legislators not to pass the law, which was submitted to parliament in May.