Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) announced its report for the month of January, which drew attention to the increasing pressure on press freedom in Turkey.

According to the report, 42 journalists were investigated, 18 journalists were detained and 9 of them were imprisoned last month.

“Journalists wake up to new detention operations every day. This picture creates a dark image with regard to press freedom and freedom of expression,” the DFG said, and put particular emphasis on the imprisonment of 8 journalists who had been detained in Van, Mersin and Istanbul along with the raid on Güncel and Martı production company on January 17.

Also in January, 102 journalists stood trial in 43 different cases, while 12 journalists were sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison.

Former JINNEWS News Director Sofya Alağaş was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison for her journalistic activities.   

On the other hand, 31 digital contents, including social media accounts of Mezopotamya Agency and JİNNEWS, were blocked on the grounds of “national security and public order”. In addition, 10 websites were shut down and 364 news reports and contents were blocked. 

The DFG stated that journalistic activities will continue to be defended despite all the pressures and said, “In a country where journalists are arrested and put on trial for their reports, there can be no talk of freedom of the press.”