FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• Nûçe Ciwan Agency banned for the 24th time in Turkey 

  The Nûçe Ciwan Agency has been censored by the Turkish state for the 24th time.
• Another journalist taken into custody 

  Mesopotamia Agency correspondent Semra Turan has been taken into custody.
• 163 journalists in prison in February 

  "We see that the government’s use of systematic pressures continues to increase. Every day journalists are being tried and many of them are sentenced."
• Prison sentence sought for solidarity with Özgür Gündem 

  Hearing of the Editors-in-Chief on Watch campaign, created with the purpose of solidarity with the Özgür Gündem, was postponed to April.
• Journalist Zehra Doğan released from prison 

  Kurdish journalist Zehra Doğan who was jailed because of her news articles, paintings and social media posts, has been released from prison.
• Journalist Okatan taken into custody 

  The Turkish regime’s repression against journalists continues.
• Kurdish journalist sentenced to three years imprisonment 

  Journalist Özgür Paksoy has been sentenced to more than three years for "terrorist propaganda".
• 169 journalists in Turkish prisons in the month of January 

  “Free press is essential for the continuation of democratic functioning and that all journalists who are detained should be released.”
• Jinnews reporter taken into custody 

  Turkish regime’s repression against Kurdish media workers continues.
• Pressures on journalists by the KRG have increased 

  Many KNN, Rojnews and NRT TV employees have been detained in the last month. The latest act was the closure of NRT Duhok Office by the security forces that also detained four employees.
• Journalist Idris Sayilgan sentenced to 8 years in prison 

  Journalist Idris Sayilgan was sentenced to 8 years and 3 months in prison.
• Hrant Dink commemorated on the 12th anniversary of his murder 

  Agos Newspaper Editor, Hrant Dink, was commemorated on the 12th anniversary of his murder. 
• Journalist Seda Taşkın released from prison 

  A Turkish court has overturned the arrest warrant for journalist Seda Taşkın.
• Turkey deports Dutch journalist  

  The Turkish regime’s repressive measures against journalists and freedom of the press continue.
• ÖGİ: Journalists in Turkey are forced to behave as soldiers  

  ÖGİ reiterated its demand that imprisoned journalists be freed.
• Journalist Metin Göktepe commemorated by his grave 

  Evrensel Newspaper journalist, Metin Göktepe, was detained and beaten to death by police on 8 January 1996.
• German Journalists’ Association warns against travel to Turkey 

  The German Journalists’ Association warns journalists and bloggers against travel to Turkey.
• Journalist Yilmaz sentenced to 6 years in prison 

  The journalist was charged with “membership of an illegal organisation” for articles he wrote.
• Annual report: 2018 ended with 171 journalists in prison 

  "Turkey is getting further away from a democratic society as politics, law, economy, social life and culture are getting more and more dominated by an authoritarian regime."
• Free Press journalist hearing posponed once again 

  Journalist Idris Sayılğan's pending hearing was postponed to 25 January.
• Journalist Gündüz sentenced to 20 months in prison 

  Yet another journalist working for the Kurdish press has been sentenced by the Turkish regime.
• Turkey ranks at #3 for imprisoned journalists 

  Turkey has come in 3rd for the number of imprisoned journalists. Throughout the globe, at least 80 journalists have been killed in 2018.
• Journalist Oktay Candemir detained in Van 

  Turkish regime’s repression against journalists continue.
• Kurdish journalist Bilen sentenced to 22 months in prison 

  Journalist Adnan Bilen was given a 22 month prison sentence.
• Imprisoned journalists not released 

  None of the 14 journalists, 5 of whom were on remand, from the Ozgurlukcu Demokrasi newspaper were released in the hearing. Kibriye Evren, on trial in Amed, will remain in prison as well.