On Thursday, Turkey’s parliament adopted a law that could punish journalists and social media users that spread “disinformation” with up to three years in jail.
Those who spread false information online about Turkey’s security to “create fear and disturb public order” will receive a one to three years prison sentence, according to the Law’s Article 29.
The law does not define “false or misleading information,” leaving the law open to abuse and crack down of dissent by courts, according to critics of the bill.
President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party claims the legislation will tackle misinformation and false accusations on social media, and would not silence opposition.
