Gönenç Gürkaynak, İlay Yılmaz, Nazlı Pınar Taşkıran

(ELIG Attorneys-at-Law, 34349 Istanbul, Turkey)

 

Abstract: This article discusses the highly criticized recent amendments to the Law No. 5651 on the Regulation of Broadcasts via Internet and Prevention of Crimes Committed through Such Broadcasts (“Law No. 5651”), including background information on the relevant legislation in Turkey. Amendments, their legal results and economic affects will be explained in detail along with an overview of the debate. This article argues that the amendments constitute a significant step backwards for Turkey in terms of freedom of speech. As the amendment includes major revisions to the Internet legislation in Turkey, the debates about the legislation are likely to continue even as the amendments come into force.

 

Keywords: law No. 5651; internet law; Turkey; access ban; removal of content; censorship; freedom of

speech; internet economy

 

JEL codes: K, K39, K42, O38