The editorial staff of Greek daily newspaper Dimokratia are facing criminal prosecution in Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims to have been insulted by the vulgar headline.

Dimokratia contends the claim is not only curious and unprecedented, but more importantly, an affront to free speech. Mr Erdogan’s reason for the suit stems from the unnecessary, 18 September 2020, headline “Siktir Git” (Turkish), which loosely translates to: “screw you” or more accurately the vulgar expletive.
Dimitris Rizoulis, the managing editor of Dimokratia says his media group is the first in the west to be targeted by the Turkish President. He goes on to say that Greece should be up in arms over this legal suit. “With what right?” Mr Rizoulis asked, “is [President] Erdogan bullying the newspaper, not just the editors and journalists of Dimokratia, but the nation as a whole”?

“Authorities here [Greece] should have never taken delivery of the suit, rather sent it back to [President] Erdogan’s office. This is a parody and [we] have no intention of appearing before a Turkish court to give credence to [President] Erdogan’s bid to defy free speech and, most importantly, the political claims he makes in the legal prosecution – claims that go against national interests. Up against such a modern dictator,” Mr Rizoulis said, further he considers it an honour to be sued by the Turkish President.

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Mr Rizoulis, in support of his position, refers to the European Court of Human Rights and says a number of journalists, who have lashed out at public officials, calling them all sorts of names, – even if offensive and provocative at times, have been acquitted on the grounds that their criticism adds to pluralism and free speech.
Greece’s Foreign Minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the paper for its vulgar tone. He said the language used was unnecessary, but he equally defended free speech. The Minister confirmed, there will be no extradition of editorial staff to Turkey to face trial and the Greek Government will not put newspaper staff at risk of serving a term of imprisonment in a Turkish prison.

Mr Rizoulis, together with four others at Dimokratia, face up to five years prison, if convicted in absentia. However, Mr Rizoulis, and his editorial staff will face serious logistical issues when traveling outside of Greece. The Editor has been advised that Turkey will endeavour enforce its orders via Interpol. It is suggested that may result in the journalist’s arrest. Given that international travel does deliver some risk.

Greece and Turkey, remain NATO allies, despite notable differences spanning decades, particularly with respect to sea and air rights, the invasion and occupation of Greek-Cypriot territory and drilling rights in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean.

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Dimoktratia affirms its ongoing support of free speech and says it will not let up on its criticism of the Turkish leadership, despite the threat of further prosecution orders being procured by President Erdogan’s office.

In the context of these destabilising tensions manifesting again between the two neighbours, there is increasing value in independent and balanced journalism irrespective of tone. The high point (free speech) has been made out.

That said, it is the opinion of the writer and Neos Kosmos, that the use of profanity in journalism is unnecessary and counterproductive.