Effects of the combatting disinformation law on internet journalism and discussions

New media environments have triggered profound transformations across all areas of social life, with journalism being one of the most directly affected fields. The limitless freedom of expression and technical convenience offered by digital platforms have facilitated the rise of independent news sources that challenge the monopoly of mainstream media. As a result, individuals lacking professional qualifications or formal journalism education have increasingly entered the field of online journalism, leading to a proliferation of unethical practices and unfair competition. In response to the growing problem of disinformation and information pollution in Turkey, the "Law on the Amendment of the Press Law and Some Other Laws" (Law No. 7418), commonly referred to as the Disinformation Law, came into force on October 18, 2022. The law aims to provide a legal framework to address these challenges. However, Article 29 of the law, which criminalizes the act of "publicly disseminating misleading information," has sparked intense debates concerning freedom of expression and press freedom. This study aims to examine how internet media organizations operating in the province of Sakarya have been affected by this legislation and to explore their attitudes toward the new regulatory framework. The main research problem is to understand the impact of the Disinformation Law on local digital media practices and to analyze its ethical, legal, and professional dimensions. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to the local-level understanding of the new risks and responsibilities that media institutions face in the digital age. A qualitatively-oriented mixed-methods approach was adopted, incorporating surveys, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation as data collection tools. The findings indicate that while the speed, reach, and accessibility of online media provide substantial communication advantages, these same features can lead to significant public interest concerns when left unregulated. Furthermore, the potential chilling effect of the law on content creation has led to an observable trend of self-censorship among journalists and media actors. In conclusion, although internet media offers vast communicative opportunities, it has simultaneously become a domain that requires ethical accountability and legal oversight. The study reveals that the Disinformation Law exerts both regulatory and restrictive influences on local media actors.