FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• At least 42 journalists behind bars in Turkey 

  As the repression of critical reporting continues to increase in Turkey, there are currently at least 42 media professionals in Turkish prisons, including ten women.
• Swedish journalist Joakim Medin arrested in Turkey 

  Swedish journalist Joakim Medin has been arrested in Turkey. He is alleged to have insulted Erdoğan and to be a member of the PKK. The accusations are related to a protest by groups in solidarity with Kurdistan against Sweden's NATO accession.
• Journalist Çiçek: Our colleagues were arrested for exposing state torture 

  Journalist Selman Çiçek said that scores of colleagues were arrested for reporting state violence during protests.
• Two journalists taken into custody 

  Journalists Elif Bayburt and Nisa Sude Demirel were taken into custody in raids carried out in Ankara and Istanbul. Seven journalists detained in the past days were released.
• DFG: No power can veil the truth, journalism cannot be put on trial 

  Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) announced the one-day balance sheet of the attacks on press freedom amid the ongoing crackdown on demonstrations against the government.
• BBC correspondent Mark Lowen deported from Turkey for covering the ongoing protests 

  After 17 hours in custody, BBC correspondent Mark Lowen was deported from Turkey where he was reporting on the ongoing protests that were sparked by the Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's arrest last week.
• Seven journalists remanded in custody in Istanbul 

  Dozens of journalists were assaulted by the police while covering demonstrations, which were suppressed by the police with brutal crackdowns. Seven journalists were sent to prison today in an attempt to silence the media amid ongoing protests.
• DFG and MKG call for detained journalists to be freed 

  DFG and MKG have demanded the immediate release of journalists taken into custody early on Monday morning in Istanbul and Izmir.
• Eight journalists taken into custody in Istanbul 

  Several journalists were detained in house raids in Istanbul.
• Journalist Öznur Değer remains in prison 

  Journalist Öznur Değer, who was tortured and detained during a raid on her home before being imprisoned, remains in prison following the first hearing held on Thursday.
• Press associations condemn the arrest of journalists 

  In the political crackdown targeting the HDK, professional press associations have strongly condemned the imprisonment of journalists.
• 15 press organizations call for the immediate release of journalists detained two days ago 

  Journalists Yıldız Tar (Editor-in-Chief, Kaos GL), independent journalist Elif Akgül, İlke TV presenter Ercüment Akdeniz, and journalist Ender İmrek are among the dozens taken into custody on February 18.
• Former DIHA journalist Oğlağı remanded in custody  

  Former DIHA journalist Cengiz Oğlağı was remanded in custody on charges of "membership of an illegal organization" for filming a street protest in Cizre in 2012.
• Media organizations call for UN action against attacks on journalists in North-East Syria 

  Media organizations and human rights groups in North-East Syria are calling on the United Nations to address the extrajudicial killings of journalists by Turkey and its allies.
• MKG: Release the detained journalists 

  The MKG condemned the operation targeting the HDK and demanded the immediate release of the detainees.
• Journalist Beritan Canözer sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison 

  Beritan Canözer has been working as a journalist in Turkey for ten years. Her home was searched six times by the police, she was taken into custody five times and arrested twice. Now she faces another prison sentence.
• DAANES calls for an end to the international silence on attacks against journalists in NE Syria 

  The Press Department of DAANES calls on the international bodies concerned with the protection of journalists to break their silence regarding the actions of the Turkish state and its mercenaries against journalists in North-East Syria.
• DFG: We won't stay silent on killing of journalists 

  The DFG issued a statement condemning the assassination of journalist Egîd Roj in a Turkish drone attack on Tishrin.
• Nezahat Doğan: A solution is only possible through meeting with Öcalan 

  Journalist Nezahat Doğan recently applied to the Ministry of Justice to visit Abdullah Öcalan in Imrali Prison. She said that journalists want to go there to find answers to the pressing questions on everyone’s mind: ‘What is happening?’
• Turkish drone strike kills journalist Egîd Roj in Tishrin 

  The Turkish state targeted and killed journalist Egîd Roj with a drone. The journalist was covering the news at the Tishrin Dam, where the people continued their resistance vigil.
• They kill journalists to silence the truth  

  A deep-rooted fear of the truth being revealed lies at the core of military attacks, massacres, and cover-up crimes. That is why they target and kill journalists.
• Journalist Sami Yılmaz detained in Mersin 

  The Turkish regime’s repression against journalists continues unabated.
• 14 journalists killed by the Turkish state in five years 

  The Turkish state has disregarded international laws and regulations protecting journalists' rights, targeting South Kurdistan and Rojava in its attacks. Since 2019, Turkey has killed 14 journalists and wounded 7 others in these regions.
• KDP forces raid the KNN TV studio in Hewlêr 

  A studio of the Kurdish news channel KNN in Hewlêr was searched and extensive files and film material, as well as computers and cell phones, were confiscated.
• Journalist Değer: We did not bow to corruption and fascism  

  Journalist Öznur Değer, who was tortured and detained during a raid on her home before being imprisoned, sent a message saying: “We do not bow to this corruption and fascism. Today is the day to raise the voice of truth.”