A public prosecutor’s office in İstanbul has launched an investigation into prominent news anchor Fatih Portakal, who presents FOX TV news, due to a critical report about a state-run hospital in Mersin, the Anadolu news agency reported on Wednesday.
The investigation was launched based on a complaint from lawyers at the Turkish Health Ministry. FOX TV’s responsible manager, İbrahim Onur Kumbaracıbaşı, is also being investigated over the same complaint.
Portakal and Kumbaracıbaşı are accused of insulting and slandering state organs.
In a message from his Twitter account on Wednesday, Portakal wrote: “The insult and slander case against me was launched by the Health Ministry. I am not surprised; I was expecting this because it was me who first launched the insult case against [development] minister Lütfi Elvan. Just like it is with every story, I am also behind this story. Damn those who avoid engaging in journalism due to their fears of you.”
In the news report that prompted the investigation into Portakal and Kumbaracıbaşı, complaints from patients are presented about the enormity of Mersin City Hospital and how difficult it is to get from one place to another in the hospital.
A man using a cane is seen telling the FOX TV reporter that he had to walk a long distance in order to undergo an MRI scan in the hospital.
Development Minister Elvan, who was angry about the report, accused FOX TV of preparing the report on the hospital based on orders from some circles to denigrate the government.
In response, Portakal challenged the minister to prove his claim, or else he was going to file a case against him.
Portakal filed a case against Elvan on June 1.
It is common in Turkey for journalists to be investigated and jailed for their work. Turkey is the number one jailer of journalists in the world, with as many as 200 journalists currently held in prison.
