As Turkey imposes a harsh “disinformation” law, critics fear the worst

are used to working under political pressure. Now, the rest of the country is feeling it too. A new media law passed last month criminalises the sharing of “fake news”, with punishments of up to three years in prison, and 18 months more if the news has been shared anonymously.The government says that the law is necessary to fight the spread of disinformation on social-media platforms. Other countries, including Germany and America, are also considering legislation to hold the platforms to account. But opponents say that Turkey’s law is aimed solely at chilling criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s regime, seven months ahead of that will be the toughest he has faced in his two decades in power.