ANKARA - Women journalists, who stated that they were exposed to male-state violence doing their jobs, said that they would work more to destroy the masculine language.

 

Women journalists also get their share from the male-state violence that pervades all areas of life. Women journalists, who are exposed to many violations of rights, fight against both state violence and sexism. According to the February report of the Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ); 33 female journalists were subjected to violence, threats or harassment. The three countries with the highest number of cases were Turkey, Canada and Azerbaijan. While at least 19 women journalists in Turkey were exposed to violence and harassment related to their professional activities, 16 women journalists were brought before the judge for the charges against them on the grounds of their journalism activities. In addition, two female journalists were detained in police raids on their homes, while one female journalist was sent to prison with a finalized prison sentence. In addition, a female journalist was subjected to violence by the police while she was following a story.

 

CFWIJ Research Coordinator Ceren İskit, who reports on violations of rights against women journalists, spoke about the problems faced by journalists.

 

LAW SUIT AGAINST AT LEAST 3 FEMALE JOURNALISTS PER WEEK

 

Stating that Turkey is at the forefront of the countries where violations are experienced the most, İskit said that they follow at least 3 female journalist cases per week. İskit said that the provinces with the highest number of cases were İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir and Kurdistan. Stating that women journalists are usually sued for their social media posts or the articles they wrote, İskit said that the journalist working in Kurdistan are usually accused of 'terrorism' and propaganda."

 

29 FILES AGAINST WOMEN JOURNALISTS IN 2022

 

Stating that they followed 29 different case files from January 1 to March 5, İskit said, "Women journalists in Turkey are subjected to police violence when they follow any mass demonstration. They are taken into custody, not only when they are on the street following a story but also from their houses which are raided by the police. Just like we saw recently with the cases of Zeynep Durgut and Nurcan Yalçın. They were held in the anti-terror unit for 4 days while the police was trying to gather evidence against them. They were also prevented from consulting to their lawyers. This is a very serious form of violation."

 

BEING A FEMALE JOURNALIST

 

Stating that the police consider female journalists easier to intimidate, İskit said: "The police calls the female journalists by name to harass and annoy them. They put a lot of pressure on journalists in mass protests that they do not want the public to be informed about. Female journalists face different hardships doing their jobs both in the office and on the street. Male journalists tries to push them aside while following press releases or prevent them from taking photos, stepping in front of them. As the Coalition for Women in Journalism, we are trying to be the voice of women journalits. This is why the news made by female journalists is very valuable. We have to write more to correct the male language of the press. Female journalists should write more in order to demolish the masculine language. As female journalists, we are in a promising situation right now. We are stronger, shoulder to shoulder, against patriarchy. I congratulate the women's day, and invite all our colleagues to take to the streets. We will continue our struggle until all our colleagues who are in prison are released."

 

OPPRESSION OF THE POLICE

 

Stating that women are the first people to be fired in the field of media, Pir News Agency (PIRHA) Ankara Correspondent Melis Ciddioğlu said, “They consider women weak, they think that there is always someone to fill their place right away. When I go out to follow a story, they don't take me seriously." 

 

FEMALE JOURNALISTS IN PRISON

 

Reminding that many journalists have been arrested because of their journalistic activities, Ciddioğlu continued: “Women are very strong in every sense. Despite centuries of exploitation, there is a great resistance. The masculine mentality will be destroyed with the organisation and bravery of women. We have no other way than to be strong. I hope when the government changes, women will be relieved."

 

'WE ARE FIGTING FOR THE PRESS TO BE FREE'

 

Talking about the difficulties of being a female journalist in a male-dominated society, Dilan Çiçek from the newspaper Rüzgarlı said, "We are fighting for the freedom of the press." Çiçek said that they will be on the streets with the women on March 8 and said: "Let's take to the streets with all the women on March 8 knowing that we are not alone. I wish to work shoulder to shoulder together with other colleagues in a country where the press is free."