FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• Federation of Independent Journalists and Writers established in Bashur Kurdistan  

  Journalists and writers from Bashur Kurdistan established the Federation of Independent Journalists and Writers to fight against attempts to restrict freedom of expression and the attacks they suffer.
• Journalist Arslan put in an isolation cell 

  Mesopotamia Agency journalist Fırat Can Arslan was put in an isolation cell.
• Jailed journalist Oruç faces up to 22 years in prison 

  Media professionals working in the tradition of the "Free Press" are the ones who suffer the most from the AKP policy of censorship and repression.
• Journalists and activists in South Kurdistan warn of decline in freedom of thought and expression 

  Journalists and activists from Germiyan said that there is a decline in freedom of thought and expression in the Kurdistan Region, and added that the second punishment of Shêrwan Shêrwanî is illegal and should be protested.
• Over 137,000 web addresses blocked in Turkey in 2022 

  Among the blocked web addresses, over 6,000 were news articles. "Violation of privacy" was the most common reason for censoring news reports.
• Journalist Evrim Kepenek released 

  Journalist Evrim Kepenek, who was detained in Istanbul yesterday, has been released on condition of judicial supervision.
• One journalist jailed, three others released 

  Of the five journalists detained in various cities today, one was remanded in custody, three released on condition of judicial control and one other will be referred to court tomorrow.
• Kurdistan Journalists’ Association condemns violations in Turkey and South Kurdistan 

  The Kurdistan Journalists’ Association called for the immediate release of detained and jailed journalists in Turkey and South Kurdistan and the defence of the freedom of the press.
• Journalist Evrim Deniz detained in Amed 

  Evrim Deniz is the fifth journalist to be detained today by order of the Diyarbakir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in connection with reports regarding a mass trial against Kurdish media workers.
• Journalist Evrim Kepenek taken into custody 

  Four journalists have been taken into custody in various cities in Turkey on Tuesday.
• Police take three journalists into custody 

  As part of a new police political operation, journalists Sibel Yukler, Fırat Can Arslan and Delal Akyüz were detained following a raid on their homes.
• Indictment against journalists Dicle Müftüoğlu and Sedat Yılmaz ready 

  The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has completed the investigation and compiled an indictment involving journalists Dicle Müftüoğlu and Sedat Yılmaz, as well as 19 other individuals.
• Media organisations demand freedom for Sherwan Sherwani 

  More than 150 media workers in South Kurdistan, together with the Metro Center for Journalist Rights & Advocacy and other media organisations, are demanding the release of Sherwan Sherwani, who has been in prison since 2020.
• 104 writers, artists, intellectuals launch campaign demanding freedom for journalist Yanardağ 

  104 writers, artists, intellectuals launched a campaign demanding freedom for journalist Merdan Yanardağ, who was arrested after talking about the isolation imposed on Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan.
• Journalist Beroski abducted after criticizing Barzani 

  Journalist Umêd Beroski, who criticized Mesrur Barzani, was kidnapped by the KDP after the trial against journalist Şêrwan Şêrwani.
• Journalist Sherwan Sherwani from Behdinan sentenced to 4 years in prison 

  KDP arrested over 80 journalists, teachers and activists from Behdinan in 2020. Some of them still remain behind bars for politically motivated reasons.
• Turkish authorities block access to Yeni Yaşam website for fifth time 

  Turkish authorities have blocked access to the website of the Kurdish newspaper Yeni Yaşam for the fifth time. The restriction is part of the censorship and persecution of Kurdish media and journalists in Turkey.
• ‘Arrest of Merdan Yanardağ is an attempt to cover up the crime of isolation’ 

  Journalist and TV editor Merdan Yanardağ who is facing up to ten and a half years in prison for his comments on Abdullah Öcalan's detention situation.
• TGS: Without good journalism, there can be no democracy 

  A study by the Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) highlights the growing challenges faced by journalists in Turkey, resulting in a declining reputation for the profession and leading many journalists to consider leaving the field.
• Court accepts indictment against Merdan Yanardağ 

  A Turkish journalist is to stand trial for "terror propaganda" and "praising crimes and criminals" because of his remarks about Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and the solitary confinement he is subjected to on Imrali prison island.
• Court rules to release 15 Kurdish journalists after the first hearing 

  The first hearing of the case in which 18 journalists - 15 of whom are imprisoned - are standing trial, resumed today at Diyarbakır 4th Heavy Penal Court.
• Second day of hearing of 18 journalists opens in Amed 

  The trial against 18 journalists in Amed continues on the second day.
• Trial against 18 journalists continues today 

  The first hearing of the trial against 18 journalists continues today in Amed.
• ‘There can be no democracy unless the Kurdish press is free’ 

  Representatives of journalist unions, organizations and political parties expressed their solidarity with the 15 Kurdish journalists standing trial in Diyarbakır today after 13 months in pre-trial detention.
• Veysel Ok: Journalists' work on the Kurdish issue is on trial today 

  MLSA co-director Veysel Ok said that the journalists' work on the Kurdish issue was criminalized.