FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• Journalists’ associations condemn detentions: “You cannot silence us!” 

  The Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) and the Mesopotamia Women Journalists Platform (MKGP) condemned the Diyarbakır-based operation, in which dozens of politicians, journalists and artists were taken into custody this morning.
• 10 journalists detained in Amed-based operation 

  About 150 people from the press and culture, lawyers and politicians have been detained in an Amed-based operation in 21 provinces today.
• YRA celebrates Kurdish Journalism Day 

  22 April, the date on which the first issue of the Kurdistan newspaper was published, in 1898, is celebrated as Kurdish Journalism Day.
• Today is Kurdish Journalism Day 

  22 April, the date on which the first issue of the Kurdistan newspaper was published, in 1898, is celebrated as Kurdish Journalists Day.
• Journalists Çoban and Güleş sentenced to prison 

  Journalists İsmail Çoban, Editor-in-Chief of the Kurdish-language newspaper Azadiya Welat, and MA correspondent Mehmet Güleş have been sentenced to more than three years in prison.
• Court keeps Kurdish journalists in prison 

  A court decided to keep 16 Kurdish journalists, who were arrested in Amed (Diyarbakır) last June, in prison and to hold the first hearing on July 11.
• Journalist faces investigation over report on execution of a civilian in Mardin 

  The Turkish army extralegally executed a civilian in Mardin a week ago. Kurdish journalist Ahmet Kanbal who reported on the case faces an investigation.
• CPJ calls on Turkish authorities to 'immediately release all imprisoned journalists' 

  The Committee to Protect Journalists said that the "Turkish authorities must immediately release all imprisoned members of the press and stop prosecuting journalists who cover Kurdish issues."
• Court accepts indictment against jailed journalists in Amed 

  The Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court accepted the indictment against journalists imprisoned in Amed. A total of 22 people are accused of being members of the PKK.
• Prison sentence sought for Kurdish journalist İsmail Çoban 

  İsmail Çoban, Editor-in-Chief of the closed Azadiya Welat newspaper, faces prison sentence for alleged propaganda for a terrorist organization.
• DFG releases report on violations against journalists in March 

  The Dicle Fırat Journalists Association reported that 8 journalists were attacked, 16 others were detained, one journalist was jailed, and 330 news were blocked in March.
• YouTube closes Med Music TV channel without any explanation 

  According to a written statement made on behalf of the broadcast management, the YouTube TV channel was closed without any explanation.
• Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office completes indictment against 20 journalists  

  After 9 months and 10 days, Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office completed its investigation against 22 people, 20 of them journalists, and prepared the indictment.
• Journalists who served their sentence denied release for not showing “remorse” 

  Journalists Dilan Oynaş and Abdulkadir Turay are kept in prison despite having served their sentence since they reject the imposition of “repentance”.
• Journalist Nûjiyan Erhan killed by KDP mercenaries commemorated in Shengal 

  Kurdish journalist Nûjiyan Erhan, who was shot dead by the KDP-affiliated Roj mercenaries in Shengal six years ago, was remembered by her colleagues and friends at her grave.
• Journalist Bayram remanded in custody  

  Journalist Hamdullah Bayram was remanded in custody as the result of a "terror" investigation.
• RSF: Iranian reporters not giving up after six months of protests and persecution 

  Reporters Without Borders spoke to journalists in Iran six months after the protests that followed the murder of Jina Amini.
• RSF exposes censorship of critical articles on Turkish government's earthquake handling 

  Reporters Without Borders denounced the recent censorship targeting online articles critical of the Turkish authorities' handling of the aftermath of the earthquake.
• International Press Institute: Reporters face numerous hurdles in Turkey 

  Frane Maroevic, the executive director of the International Press Institute, said during his visit to Antakya, reporters faced numerous hurdles in Turkey even before the quake hit.
• Journalist Hamdullah Bayram taken into custody 

  Journalist Hamdullah Bayram was taken into custody in Mersin.
• Editor of Bianet Kurdish service taken into custody 

  Aren Yıldırım was detained and taken to Istanbul Police Headquarters.
• Journalist Fırat Bulut released 

  Journalist Fırat Bulut was detained at Ankara Airport on Friday after returning from the earthquake region. He was released on Saturday.
• Journalist Fırat Bulut taken into custody upon his return from the earthquake zone 

  Journalist Fırat Bulut was taken into custody upon his return to Ankara from the earthquake zone.
• Journalists in Amed demand the release of 16 colleagues detained without charge for nine months 

  Journalists' associations in Amed demanded the immediate release of 16 colleagues who have been in pre-trial detention without charge for nine months.
• CoE report highlights Turkey’s measures against independent media outlets 

  Regarding Turkey, the CoE report highlights the media authorities' punitive measures against independent media outlets, the "disinformation law" adopted in October, and court cases against and imprisonment of journalists.