FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• YRJ celebrates its 5th anniversary 

  On the occasion of its 5th anniversary, the YRJ declared: "We proudly salute all the women who have worked in the field of media and struggled to be a free and independent voice."
• Film project launched in memory of murdered journalists  

  Filming has begun for “Analogue,” a movie dedicated to Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan, two journalists killed in Northern and Eastern Syria.
• Journalist Hesen Zaza detained by government forces in Syria 

  Security forces affiliated with the Syrian Transitional Government detained journalist Hesen Zaza, the representative of the International Federation of Arab Journalists in Syria.
• Four journalists sent to prison 

  Four journalists who were taken into custody as part of an Artvin-based investigation have been sent to prison on charges of "membership in an illegal organization."
• Final declaration of the 7th YRA Congress: We will fulfill our national and social role 

  The 7th YRA Congress concluded with the reading of the final declaration, which stated that the YRA will fulfill its responsibilities on behalf of the entire Syrian community and expand its activities throughout Syria.
• YRA holds its 7th Congress in Qamishlo: We will follow the path of truth 

  YRA works to strengthen the values of freedom, justice, and gender equality, improve journalists' performance through training programs, defend journalists' rights, and build relations with regional and international media organizations.
• Seeking to be the free voice of truth and popular will, YRA holds its 7th congress 

  The Free Press Union (YRA), established in 2012, aims to become a leading institution throughout Syria as it prepares for its 7th congress.
• Journalist Hacıoğlu released from prison: I will continue from where I left off 

  Released from prison after five months behind bars, journalist Reyhan Hacıoğlu said that the free press has an even greater role now and that she will continue doing her work.
• ANF English launches official X and Instagram accounts 

  ANF English launches its official accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
• MKG: Pressure on women journalists continues in May 

  The MKG published its report on "Rights Violations Against Women Journalists”"for the month of May.
• Journalist Gulistan Dursun faces investigation over protest participation 

  An investigation has been launched against journalist Gulistan Dursun for participating in a protest.
• Değer: I will continue to make peace journalism with renewed commitment 

  JINNEWS News Director Öznur Değer said that "the free press cannot be silenced."
• JINNEWS News Director Öznur Değer released from prison 

  JINNEWS News Director Öznur Değer was released following the first hearing of her trial.
• Öznur Değer: I was arrested in a politically motivated act of retaliation 

  Journalist Öznur Değer said that she was targeted not for her profession, but for being a woman.
• Journalist Evrim Kepenek sentenced to prison 

  A court in Istanbul sentenced Bianet Women's News Editor Evrim Kepenek to ten months in prison and postponed the announcement of the verdict.
• Kurdish journalist sent to Karaj prison to serve one-year sentence 

  Azhdar Piri, editor-in-chief of the international monthly Pazhouhesh-e Melal (Nations Research), was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “propaganda against the state”, with the additional penalty of a two-year ban on online activity.
• MKG: Nine female journalists remain in prison 

  “Journalism is not a crime. The voice of every journalist who writes the truth is the collective voice of society. We will continue to strengthen solidarity against oppression and censorship,” said the Mesopotamia Women Journalists Association.
• DFG report on May 3: Freedom of the press in Turkey still under heavy attack 

  Repression, censorship, and arrests of media professionals continue to increase in Turkey. In April alone, eight journalists were jailed, bringing the total number of media workers currently imprisoned in Turkish prisons to 36.
• Swedish journalist Joakim Medin sentenced to 11 months and 20 days in prison in Turkey 

  Swedish journalist Joakim Medin was given a deferred sentence in Erdoğan insult case, and remains jailed in a separate terrorism-related case.
• YRJ celebrates Kurdish Journalism Day 

  In a statement on Kurdish Journalism Day, YRJ vowed that the struggle will continue, the truth will be revealed and the darkness will be prevented.
• DEM Party: Kurdish journalism has been in the pursuit of truth for 127 years 

  The DEM Party issued a statement to celebrate Kurdish Journalism Day.
• Kurdish journalists in Europe form new media collective 

  Kurdish media workers operating in Europe have announced the establishment of a new platform called the Collective of Kurdistan Press Workers in Europe.
• Kurdish journalists in Europe seek a new form of organization 

  Kurdish journalists in Europe met in Aalst to discuss the creation of a new and inclusive organization.
• Released journalist: We will continue to amplify women’s voices 

  Journalist Necla Demir Arvas was released from Bakırköy Women's Closed Prison. She said: "We will continue to amplify women's voices."
• Journalists on trial make a statement in front of Istanbul Courthouse 

  The hearings of the lawsuits filed against journalists and activists who protested the Turkish state's killing of journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin in Rojava with an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) continue.