Discussions on Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Expression in Türkiye: Analyzing the News Coverage of the “Disinformation Bill”

Abstract

This study aims to examine the news coverage of the draft “disinformation bill” to reveal how the media as a key actor deal with the media freedom matter in the framework of free speech and focuses on the importance of press freedom as a fundamental principle in a democratic society. Analyzing the news coverage of the new bill provides insight into discussing how the divided media landscape and media ownership interpret the principle of press freedom. This study argued that critical news coverage of the legislative regulations on media freedom and combating disinformation can contribute to a more democratic public sphere and discussion. It needs more discussion on what should be done to prevent disinformation. This study concluded that the critical news coverage in regard to the disinformation bill was more included Cumhuriyet and Birgün which are anti-government and independent left-wing media defended the media freedom notion more than Habertürk and Sabah which are mainstream and pro-government. This result is connected to the polarization of Turkish news media.