FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• Taliban kidnap Kurdish photojournalist Ebrahim Alipoor in Kabul 

  Kurdish photojournalist Ebrahim Alipoor was kidnapped by the Taliban in the Afghan capital Kabul.
• Prison administration seizes letter sent to journalist in Şakran, İzmir 

  A letter sent by the Dicle Fırat Journalists' Association to jailed journalist Sibel Mustafaoğlu was seized by the prison administration.
• Seriously ill imprisoned journalist Devrim Ayık remains in prison 

  Seriously ill imprisoned journalist Devrim Ayık was not released.
• Court rejects lifting of ban to travel abroad imposed on 6 journalists 

  Six journalists working for Özgürlükçü Demokrasi saw their request for the lifting of the ban on travel abroad imposed on them rejected.
• International press and freedom of expression organizations call for release of journalist Türfent 

  International press and freedom of expression organizations called for the release of imprisoned journalist Nedim Türfent.
• DFG report: 3 journalists detained, 6 others attacked in Turkey in October 

  According to the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association, at least three journalists were detained and six attacked in Turkey in October. 62 media workers are currently behind bars.
• 40 cases of violations against women journalists documented in October 

  Types of violations include detentions, legal harassment, and physical assaults in the field.
• Imprisoned journalist Türfent reports strict isolation in jails 

  According to imprisoned journalist Nedim Türfent, strict isolation is implemented in prisons under the guise of pandemic situations.
• Death threat against journalist Hüseyin Şenol in Germany 

  Critical journalist Hüseyin Şenol received a death threat at his residence in Neu-Ulm in Germany with a bullet placed in his mailbox.
• Dozens of journalists pay tribute to press workers fallen in Girê Spi and Serêkaniyê in 2019 

  Dozens of journalists paid tribute to their fallen colleagues and friends Dilovan Gewer, Hogir Mihemed and Mihemed Reşo at Martyr Delil Saroxan Cemetery on the anniversary of their martyrdom.
• Memorial for ANF journalist Murat Kuseyri 

  A large number of people came together in Stockholm to share their memories and feelings about journalist Murat Kuseyri and said that he left an irreplaceable void.
• Tribute paid to journalist Gurbetelli Ersöz  

  Gurbetelli Ersöz was Turkey’s first female editor-in-chief. She was born in the Akbulut village of Elazığ’s Palu district. On 8 October 1997, she fell as a martyr in a clash with the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP).
• More journalists sued and sentenced to prison in Turkey in September 

  Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) announced that 6 journalists were investigated, 7 were prosecuted, and 6 others were sentenced to 27 years and 3 months in prison in the month of September.
• Prosecutor demands up to 15 years prison sentence for journalist Kara 

  A prison sentence of up to 15 years was demanded in the lawsuit filed against journalist Ayşe Kara at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court.
• CFWJI says at least 10 women journalists attacked in Turkey in September 

  The Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) said that at least 10 women journalists have been attacked in Turkey in the month of September.
• Six journalists sentenced to prison in Turkey in September 

  The Journalists' Association of Turkey has announced that six journalists were sentenced to 27 years and 3 months in prison in September.
• Özgür Gündem Trial: “We will never give up our struggle for humanity” 

  Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Erol Önderoglu and Ahmet Nesin face a re-trial in the Özgür Gündem case after being acquitted on charges of membership in a terrorist organization in July 2019.
• Up to 20 years jail time asked for journalist Yalçın 

  Journalist Nurcan Yalçın is facing up to 20 years jail time.
• Death threat against Kurdish journalist in Batman 

  Journalist Idris Yayla has received death threats by phone, and shots were fired outside his apartment in Batman. He had previously been threatened on digital networks, including by the account "Codename Yeşil".
• 40th ban for Jinnews agency 

  Access to the website of women’s news agency Jinnews was banned for the 40th time.
• MA editor faces investigation over the “helicopter torture” report 

  Ferhat Çelik, the Editor-in-Chief of the Mezopotamya Agency, faces investigation over the news article about the detention of journalists who had reported about two villagers thrown off a military helicopter in Van province.
• Jailed Kurdish journalist Türfent becomes honorary member of PEN Melbourne 

  Australia’s PEN Melbourne center has announced that journalist Nedim Türfent has been granted honorary membership. Sending a message from prison, the journalist has thanked for "the honor erasing the borders desired to be set by hegemons."
• Journalist Yelda Çiçek sentenced to one year and eight months in prison 

  Journalist Yelda Çiçek was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison.
• Freedom House: Internet freedom continues to decline in Turkey 

  Freedom House published a new report on freedom of the internet and said that Turkey ranked 34th out of 100 countries examined.
• CFWIJ expresses concern over violations against women journalists in Turkey 

  Over the past seven months, CFWIJ has noted with concern the dangerous digital-physical terrain that women journalists in Turkey have had to navigate in order to continue doing their jobs.