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December 10. 2024 – Turkey –
A coalition of 55 press freedom and human rights organizations—including the International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and ARTICLE 19—sent a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the EU to publicly oppose Türkiye’s proposed “agent of influence” bill. The controversial legislation, currently under parliamentary consideration, poses a significant threat to democratic freedoms and civil society in Türkiye.
The bill would criminalize any act considered to be conducted “in the interest of a foreign state or organization” that allegedly undermines Türkiye’s national security, political order, or constitutional structure. Violators could face three to seven years in prison. The letter highlights how the law’s vague wording and lack of judicial safeguards could be used to target journalists, activists, academics, and NGOs, labeling them as foreign agents or spies for simply engaging in international cooperation or criticism of the government.
Signatories argue that the proposed law builds on Türkiye’s increasingly authoritarian legal arsenal, which already includes the 2022 anti-disinformation law widely condemned for enabling censorship. The new bill, they warn, risks further criminalizing peaceful dissent and could be used to silence independent journalism and NGOs through fear and intimidation.
The joint letter calls on the EU to demand the withdrawal of the bill and to prioritize media freedom and civil society rights in its diplomatic relations with Ankara. It urges the European Commission to raise the issue in high-level talks and to support local organizations that are increasingly under pressure.
The bill, critics say, mirrors tactics used by authoritarian regimes to suppress civic space and consolidate power. If passed, it could severely limit Türkiye’s press freedom and isolate civil society from international allies. The coalition sees this moment as a crucial test of the EU’s commitment to democratic values, arguing that strong public opposition from Brussels is essential to defending fundamental rights and preserving the integrity of EU–Türkiye relations.
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