FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• SOHR: 748 journalists killed in Syria since 2011 

  Since the beginning of the “Syrian Revolution” on March 15, 2011 to date, SOHR documented the death of 748 Syrian journalists. Furthermore, 100 journalists were killed by ISIS and opposition rebel, Islamic and jihadi factions.
• Turkey continued crackdown on journalists in April 

  According to a recent report of the Journalists Community, Turkish prosecutors asked up to 485 years in prison for 48 journalists in April.
• CFWIJ: Turkey marks the highest number of threats and attacks against journalists 

  Seven journalists have been killed and violence against female reporters has almost doubled since the beginning of 2021, according to CFWIJ statement on World Press Freedom Day.
• Mesopotamia Women Journalists Platform: We reiterate journalism promise for friends in prison 

  Mesopotamia Women Journalists Platform issued a statement on World Press Freedom Day reiterating the journalism promise made to their colleagues resisting in prison.
• HDP celebrates journalists pursuing truth on World Press Freedom Day 

  Celebrating World Press Freedom Day, the HDP said: "Journalism in Turkey has turned into a profession equivalent to risking death, arrest and unemployment."
• Today is World Press Freedom Day 

  Today is World Press Freedom Day. 8 journalists and 4 media assistants were killed since 1 January 2021.
• Jinnews website blocked for 4th time in ten days 

  The website jinnews22.xyz, published by Jinnews, was blocked with the decision of the Diyarbakır 2nd Criminal Court of Peace.
• CPJ calls for release of ANF reporter detained in Sulaymaniyah 

  “We call on local authorities to immediately release Rebaz Hassan without charge and allow journalists and media outlets to do their job freely and without fear of retaliation,” said CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa representative.
• Court adjourns Özgür Gündem hearing  

  The hearing of the journalists detained during a police raid on the Özgür Gündem newspaper building was postponed.
• Female journalists celebrate 123-year-old Kurdish press tradition 

  Mesopotamia Women Journalists Platform celebrated the 123rd anniversary of the Kurdish press and said, "We will continue our claim to turn the 21st century into an age of women's freedom".
• Today marks the 123rd anniversary of Kurdish Journalist Day 

  The date in which the first issue of the Kurdistan newspaper was published, in 1898, is celebrated as Kurdish Journalists Day.
• Turkish judiciary imposes internet ban on Mezopotamya news agency 

  The Turkish judiciary has imposed another internet ban on the Mezopotamya news agency.
• RSF: Journalism, the vaccine against disinformation, blocked in over 130 countries! 

  The 2021 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) shows that journalism, the main vaccine against disinformation, is completely or partly blocked in 73% of the 180 countries ranked by the organisation.
• Journalist detained by KDP not heard from for 77 days 

  There is still no news from Kurdish journalist Qehreman Shukri, who was detained by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) forces 77 days ago.
• "Do you think Öcalan is an honorable resistance fighter?" 

  An arrest warrant has been requested for Beritan Canözer, a journalist detained in Amed along with 21 other women. She was asked strange questions during police interrogation.
• Dicle Fırat Journalists Association releases press freedom violations report 

  While more than 100 journalists appeared before the judge in March, journalists were sentenced in various cases.
• HDP commemorates murdered journalists 

  The HDP paid tribute to murdered journalists in a statement saying: “We stand by journalists who defend the interests of the people, not the government.”
• Turkey blocks access to JinNews agency again 

  Internet access to JinNews agency blocked once again.
• CFWIJ demands immediate release of journalist Beritan Özer 

  “We urge Turkish authorities to end the attacks against reporters. Journalism is not a crime,” said a statement published by CFWIJ on Monday.
• Police detain Jinnews journalist Beritan Canözer 

  Jinnews journali Beritan Canözer was taken during this morning' police political operation in Amed.
• CFWIJ demands acquittal of journalists released from prison in Van today 

  CFWIJ welcomes the release of journalists who were imprisoned after reporting on a torture case against two civilians in the countryside of the Van province, stressing that, "Journalism is not a crime!”
• “Helicopter torture” case: four journalists released from prison 

  In the trial over the reporting of the "helicopter torture" of two Kurdish civilians, the court in Van has lifted the arrest warrants against four accused journalists. The trial will be continued in July.
• First hearing against 5 journalists arrested for 'helicopter torture news' opens in Van 

  The first hearing of the case opened against 5 journalists, 4 of whom in prison, opened in Van. Only four journalists were allowed into the hall to follow the hearing.
• Prosecutor takes action for longer prison sentences in Özgür Gündem trial 

  Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor found the sentences given to journalists in the Özgür Gündem main trial insufficient.
• Van Democracy Platform calls for the release of 4 journalists before tomorrow’s hearing 

  Van Democracy Platform released a statement before the hearing of the journalists who were jailed for reporting the “helicopter torture” in Van province.