GENERAL INFORMATION
 

Project title
 

IMPROVED RELATIONS BETWEEN MASS MEDIA AND JUDICIARY

Priority area
 

Media and Justice

Beneficiary

Ministry of Justice

Co-Beneficiary
 

Duration

Duration: 29 Months

Start: 07/05/2013

End: 30/10/2015 (Postponed: 01.07.2014 - 31.10.2014)

EU contribution (Euro)

€ 1,700,000

PROJECT SUMMARY

Brief description of the project and main objectives
 

As part of its efforts toward European Union (EU) accession, Turkey has undertaken several reforms in the judiciary sector. Significant progress has been made toward independent media and journalism sectors. It is essential that the media in reporting the news observe the balance between the freedom of communication, the right to privacy, the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence. However, the relations and communication between the media and judiciary is not always based on professionalism approach. Problems exist between the two sides due to the lack of sufficient and sound communication channels. Owing to lack of correct information, media is reporting on the basis of insufficient and incorrect information, thus negatively affecting the public trust towards the judiciary. Given the existing prejudices between media and justice system, thus involvement of judiciary into a sound and regular public relation process will raise public confidence. In this context, not only the harmonisation of the legislation but also the functioning of the judiciary as well as capacity building for the establishment of an effective judicial system to properly implement the legislation, are critical.

The Circular no.33 of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HCoJP) dated 18/10/2011 on “Confidentiality of Prosecutions and Providing Information to Media” which was the legislation regulating the relations of the judiciary with the media before the start-up of this project, was abrogated by Law No. 6524 on 15 February 2014. The Ministry of Justice, the project main beneficiary, issued on 20 Feb 2015 the new legal basis for press spokesmanship: Circular No: 153: Confidentiality of the investigation and press spokesmanship which allows to be spokespersons not only for public prosecutors but also for the first time for judges as well. Furthermore, it mandates the immediate completion of the required infrastructural conditions, technical equipment and secretarial services to institutionalise and facilitate spokesmanship system at the courthouses. The concerned Circular of the Ministry was revised in December 2015 after the completion of the project. According to the circular; spokesmen have been appointed for public prosecutor offices, civil courts, second degree administrative courts and first-degree administrative courts. Besides, it has been foreseen to form media communication offices for second-degree civil and administrative courts, high criminal court head offices and public prosecutor offices.

Location

Achievements / expected outputs

Result 1: Judiciary Media Spokesmanship established.

Result 2: Relation between independent media and judiciary strengthened in terms of protecting fundamental rights.