FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• Press Freedom Day: Over a hundred media workers jailed in Turkey 

  More than one hundred media workers are in prison in Turkey. This situation is worst for women.
• PEC: At least 55 journalists died of coronavirus in 23 countries 

  Coronavirus is used as a pretext for many press freedom violations - at least 55 journalists have died from Covid-19 in two months, PEC said.
• Three investigations opened against journalist Candemir 

  Three different investigations have been opened against Kurdish journalist Oktay Candemir. Among other things, he is accused of spreading fear and panic in public.
• Yeni Özgür Politika to resume printed edition on 4 May 

  The Yeni Özgür Politika newspaper will start to republish the printed edition on 4 May. The newspaper will have 10 pages and will be delivered only to subscribers in the first stage.
• Up to 17 years’ imprisonment sought for six journalists 

  The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Istanbul has brought charges against six imprisoned journalists accused of revealing state secrets in connection with their reporting on Libya.
• Messages on the Day of the Kurdish Press 

  The HDP, the Women Journalists' Platform of Mesopotamia and the DTK mark the Day of the Kurdish Press. 122 years ago today, on April 22, 1898, the first Kurdish language newspaper, "Kurdistan" appeared.
• 'Kurdish press will continue to exist and expose injustices' 

  Journalists from North Kurdistan celebrate Kurdish Journalist Day on its 122nd anniversary and vowed to continue to exist despite all injustices and repression.
• YRD celebrates Kurdistan Journalist Day 

  22 April was established as Kurdistan Journalists Day on the occasion of the first Kurdish newspaper published in Cairo in 1898.
• RSF: We entered a decisive decade in journalism  

  The 2020 World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), shows that the coming decade will be decisive for the future of journalism.
• Letter campaign for imprisoned journalists 

  The initiative "Haberin var mı" has launched a letter campaign for six journalists imprisoned in Turkey who are accused of disclosing state secrets in connection with their reporting on Libya.
• Application demanding release of 6 journalists rejected 

  The application demanding the release of 6 journalists arrested for news they wrote about the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) officer who lost his life in Libya, has been rejected
• Turkey: Over a hundred journalists still jailed despite pandemic 

  According to the journalists' association DFG, eight media workers were arrested in Turkey in March. The working conditions of journalists have massively deteriorated in the corona crisis, and repression is intensifying.
• Journalists demand freedom for their colleagues in prison 

  Haberin Var Mı (Have you heard?), the initiative demanding freedom for journalists in prison, protested against the measures contained in the third legal package to be discussed on Tuesday.
• Kurdish journalist summoned to testify over Corona coverage 

  Kurdish journalist Oktay Candemir has been summoned for criminal interrogation by the police in Van. As part of an investigation, he is to testify on his coronavirus articles in the social media.
• AI calls on Turkey to release journalists from prison 

  Amnesty International called on Turkish authorities to release the journalists from pre-trial detention pending the review of the investigations.
• Kurdish journalists demand release of their colleagues 

  Kurdish journalists pointed out the danger of the coronavirus epidemic and demanded the immediate release of journalists and all political prisoners.
• Two MA journalists released from prison 

  An Istanbul court has ordered the release of journalists Sadık Topaloğlu and Sadiye Eser during the first hearing held on Thursday. Both have been released from prison in the evening.
• London Court refuses to release Wikileaks founder Assange 

  Assange is waiting for a trial that could see him extradited to the United States. 
• Yeni Yaşam suspends printed edition due to coronavirus emergency 

  Yeni Yaşam newspaper announced that it will stop its printed edition due to the coronavirus epidemic. The paper will continue publication online. "The children of Ape Musa never say goodbye; we just say hello," said the paper.
• Two journalists detained over report on coronavirus in Antalya 

  Two journalists were detained and their report on a coronavirus case in Antalya was removed.
• Turkish government closes down Raperina Gel site for 16th time 

  Raperina Gel site was censored for 16 times by the Turkish state.
• Message from jailed journalist Mehmet Ferhat Çelik 

  Jailed editor-in-chief of Yeni Yaşam, Mehmet Ferhat Çelik, said that his detention has political motives. "This government will go," he said in a message from prison.
• Protest in Istanbul for journalists in prison 

  Turkey Journalists' Union (TGS), protested in front of Çağlayan Courthouse against the continous arrest of journalist.
• Yeni Yaşam journalists remanded in custody 

  The Turkish regime’s attacks against the free press continue unabated.
• Arrest warrant for Yeni Yaşam journalists 

  Mehmet Ferhat Çelik and Aydın Keser, editor-in-chief of Yeni Yaşam newspaper and editor Semiha Alankuş, were called for testimony and issued with an arrest warrant.