ANKARA, Oct 2 (AP)
The renowned Turkish journalist, Fatih Altayli, has found himself incarcerated, yet his fearless reporting remains remarkably vibrant.
Even from within the confines of his prison cell, Altayli continues to deliver news and incisive political commentary through his YouTube channel. This is achieved via letters, which are conveyed by his legal team and read aloud by an assistant, showcasing a novel form of media engagement that peers have dubbed “prison journalism.”
“Fatih Altayli has initiated a pioneering kind of journalism: prison journalism,” fellow journalist Murat Yetkin noted on his platform, Yetkin Report. Drawing on communications from legislators, letters, and his lawyers, Altayli maintains his unwavering pursuit of journalism, offering insights gathered both from within prison walls and the broader world.
Altayli's program, which garners hundreds of thousands of daily views, faced a significant hurdle when he was apprehended in June. Authorities charged him with issuing threats against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a charge he staunchly denies. Critics see this move as part of a broader crackdown on dissent, aimed at stifling critical voices.
Prosecutors are pushing for a minimum of five years in prison, citing threats and public dissemination as violations under Turkish law. The case, rooted in remarks Altayli made on his show, “Fatih Altayli Comments”, awaits its first hearing on Friday.
His contentious comments followed a poll suggesting over 70 percent opposition to a lifetime presidency for Erdogan, in power for over two decades. Altayli observed that Turkish history reflects a preference for checks on authority, noting past instances where Ottoman sultans faced dire consequences when they fell out of favor.
At 63, Altayli’s extensive career as a journalist, columnist, and television host underscores his commitment to his profession. His detention on June 21 came swiftly after his on-air comments, leading to widespread debate over freedom of expression versus perceived threats.
The Istanbul Bar Association deemed his detention unlawful, asserting that Altayli's remarks did not amount to a genuine threat but, instead, fell under free speech. Conversely, the government’s Department for Combating Disinformation defended the arrest, clarifying that issuing threats is illegal and refusing to accept portrayals of this as a freedom of expression issue.
Imprisoned in the high-security Silivri prison near Istanbul, now renamed Marmara Prison Campus, Altayli has transformed his cell into a makeshift newsroom. Through ongoing interactions with visitors, he pens critiques of the political climate that, in his view, led to his arrest.
His YouTube platform, rebranded as “Fatih Altayli Cannot Comment”, features an empty chair with assistant Emre Acar reading Altayli's letters, followed by guest commentators who share their perspectives.
Outside of the video platform, Altayli's written commentaries remain active on his personal website.
Yetkin remarked on the initial assumptions about Altayli’s willingness to acquiesce to pressure, given his previous comfortable lifestyle.
“Yet, Altayli didn’t fold. His stance has grown stronger, maintaining his principles without wavering,” Yetkin affirmed.
Altayli’s innovative “prison journalism” also includes an interview conducted with Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, another high-profile prisoner. This interview was crafted through exchanged written correspondence facilitated by legal representatives.
As the majority of Turkey's mainstream media is owned by pro-government entities, many independent journalists have lost conventional platforms, finding new voices through YouTube for uncensored expression.
According to the Turkish Journalists' Syndicate, 17 journalists and media workers, including Altayli, remain incarcerated. The government maintains that these individuals face legal action for criminal activities rather than their journalistic endeavors.
(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
