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A significant portion of the firm’s recent media law work has involved high-stakes online content disputes under Article 9 of Law No. 5651 (the Turkish Internet Law), particularly before Criminal Courts of Peace. The team regularly acts in urgent applications seeking access blocking, content removal and protection of personality rights, personal data and the presumption of innocence.
In one notable matter, the firm secured a blocking order against an online publication that disclosed extensive personal data derived from a judicial decision and implied criminal liability despite the absence of a final conviction.
The court accepted the firm’s arguments that the publication constituted a serious violation of personality rights and unlawfully disclosed personal data, ordering the blocking of access to the relevant URL.
The decision reinforced the principle that media reporting must respect the presumption of innocence and cannot create an impression of guilt without a final judicial determination.
In another significant case, the team successfully pursued the removal of outdated online news reports relating to private family matters and divorce proceedings. After challenging an initial refusal decision, the firm secured an order for removal and access blocking, with the court recognising the loss of public interest over time and the impact of continued publication on minor children.
The case represents a strong example of the practical application of the right to be forgotten in Turkish media law practice. The firm has also demonstrated a nuanced and proportionate approach to online defamation disputes.
In a recent matter involving defamatory allegations published online about a businessperson, the team argued that while a full blocking order might be excessive, the continued publication of the client’s name and identifying details in connection with unproven allegations constituted an ongoing violation of personality rights.
The court adopted a tailored remedy, ordering the removal of identifying information rather than imposing a blanket restriction, thereby striking a balance between press freedom and reputation.
Beyond access-blocking litigation, the firm is active in criminal proceedings arising from digital media activity and influencer-driven disputes. In one high-profile matter, the team represented business owners in criminal proceedings against a digital broadcaster who had published repeated and unsubstantiated allegations concerning their commercial activities.
The court imposed a judicial fine for unfair competition through denigration, confirming that online broadcasters are not shielded from liability where publications cross the line from criticism into damaging factual misrepresentation.
In another matter involving social media influencers, the firm acted in criminal proceedings concerning repeated insulting and defamatory messages circulated via Instagram. The case illustrates the increasing use of criminal law mechanisms in resolving online speech disputes between digital actors and highlights the application of simplified criminal procedure and statutory prepayment mechanisms in media-related offences.
In addition to representing individuals and corporates, the firm advises international online platforms on compliance with Turkish criminal procedure and data disclosure obligations. In a confidential mandate, the team provided comprehensive advice regarding the scope and legality of law-enforcement requests for user data in criminal investigations.
The work involved analysing the Turkish Criminal Procedure Code, identifying competent authorities, clarifying formal validity requirements and deadlines, as well as mapping the interaction between general criminal procedure rules and sector-specific regimes applicable to social network providers and OTT services.
The advice delivered a structured and defensible framework for assessing, responding to or lawfully declining data requests in a legally uncertain and evolving regulatory environment.
The firm’s broader client base includes leading corporates operating in aviation, fintech, energy, manufacturing and hospitality, often in matters involving fraud, unfair competition, corporate criminal liability and technology-related offences. This depth of criminal and regulatory expertise underpins its media law practice and enables the team to act swiftly in crisis situations involving online publications, social media exposure and law-enforcement scrutiny.
What distinguishes Mustafa Tırtır Law Firm in the media law sphere is its ability to integrate criminal defence strategy, constitutional argumentation and digital risk management into a single, coherent advisory approach.
In a jurisdiction where media disputes frequently escalate into criminal investigations or regulatory enforcement, this dual capability positions the firm as a key adviser in high-impact, reputation-sensitive and procedurally complex matters.
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Based in Istanbul, Mustafa Tartır Law Firm has established a distinctive position in the Turkish legal market at the intersection of criminal law, media law and digital regulation. While the firm is widely recognised for its expertise in complex criminal investigations and white-collar matters, its media law capability has become an increasingly prominent and strategically important part of its practice.
The firm is led by Founding Partner Mustafa Tartır, a prominent criminal lawyer and academic in criminal law. This background shapes the firm’s approach to media disputes: rather than treating them as purely civil or reputational matters, the team addresses them through the lens of criminal liability, procedural safeguards, regulatory exposure and constitutional rights. This positioning is particularly relevant in Türkiye’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, where online publications, influencer activity and platform governance frequently intersect with prosecutorial scrutiny.
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