Deniz, who was targeted on social media and subjected to sexist and racist attacks after sharing a photo she took at Women’s Day rally, stated that she will continue to work as a journalist

AZİZ ORUÇ, DİYARBAKIR

Bianet Diyarbakır reporter Evrim Deniz was targeted on social media after she shared a photo she took in Diyarbakır during the March 8 International Women's Day rally. Deniz was subjected to sexist attacks and threats, as well as death threats, after she photographed a peace mother with a banner reading “Let discrimination, violence, harassment and mobbing against LGBTI+ people end.” Many people posted insulting and hateful messages and shared Deniz's identity information and institution she works for.

Journalist Evrim Deniz spoke to Expression Interrupted about the threats and sexist discourse.

Deniz, who has been living in Diyarbakır for about three years and practicing journalism here, reacted to the threats, saying, “I love practicing my profession and journalism here. I try to report on women's issues.”

“As a journalist, I filmed it all”

Describing what happened, Deniz said the following: “The banner I photographed says 'Diyarbakır Anti-Violence Network (DAKAP).' These were the banners that DAKAP had printed and distributed to people. These banners were filled with slogans determined by women's organizations. DAKAP is one of the oldest women's organizations in Diyarbakır and the region, and is the umbrella network for all women's organizations in the city. That day was one of the most colorful Women’s Day rallies in the city. With the calls for peace in Diyarbakır, there were colorful scenes, there was a high participation of young women, and the enthusiasm was high. That is why many corteges and organizations came to the site en masse. They all entered the area with banners and placards. DAKAP's cortege entered the area with a large purple banner reading 'Jin jiyan Azadi-Women, life, freedom' and banners with different slogans. I photographed many different frames, banners, and placards there.”

“There are regular attacks and threats”

Deniz continued her remarks as follows: “As a journalist, I am not surprised by the targeting and violence. There were regular attacks by fascists. Almost every morning I receive a 'yellow bag' in my message requests. But the situation here has turned into something else. The mob that feeds and organizes the lynch culture here is also the same group that claims to be trying to build a democratic society. There is also an issue here outside of journalistic activity. There are journalistic ethics that we all take into account. The targeting and threats were based on allegations that I either manipulated the image to make it look like there was a banner, or that I put the banner in the hands of the women and took a photo. But this is not possible for me, and I never accept this. I did not do such a thing and it is unethical. However, I received very serious threats about this. There are sexist and very serious threats against me. I also receive threats about the Newroz in Diyarbakır.”

She filed a criminal complaint

Stating that she will file a criminal complaint to the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the threats, Deniz said that they will take the necessary actions after identifying the accounts that send sexist messages and threaten her one by one. “These threats are very easily made against women. If the subject is a woman, we see that violence against women can be organized immediately. We have seen that men from every group in Turkey, if the issue is violence against women, if it is lynching against women, they all come together and have the same idea. We will not take a step back against this,” Deniz stated.

Deniz finally said the following: “I am in Diyarbakır and I will continue to work as a journalist here. I will continue to go to Ben û Sen, Bağlar, Sur every day and report news. We journalists are not thinking of quitting our profession in the face of neither sexist nor fascist attacks. There is a threat from many directions, but there are women journalists that I am inspired by. I will continue to pursue my profession without backing down in the face of these threats.”

Evrim Deniz filed a criminal complaint on 10 March.