Turkey's proposed "disinformation" bill threatens free speech and could further harm journalism ahead of next year's elections, a European rights watchdog's legal body said, calling for Turkey's parliament to reject it. Freedom House is alarmed by Turkey’s new so-called disinformation law, which will give the Erdogan government greater control over online speech and media. It asked lawmakers to clarify terms in the bill and to reject the draft amendment, which was debated last week. There are alternative non-criminal ways to counter misinformation and disinformation in a democratic society, the Venice Commission said in a 23-page assessment. The bill would continue a decades-long crackdown on free speech and the media under Erdogan, who faces tight presidential and parliamentary elections next year.

Source: Washington Post October 09, 2022 15:57 UTC