FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• Hulya Oruç: I expect everyone to support Aziz  

  The first hearing of journalist Aziz Oruç, who has been illegally held hostage in Patnos Prison for months, will be held in Ağrı 2nd High Criminal Court on 21 July.
• Prison sentence for journalist Aslı Ceren Aslan confirmed 

  An appeal court in Istanbul has confirmed the almost seven-year prison sentence for terror propaganda against the editor-in-chief of the left-wing weekly newspaper "Özgür Gelecek". The 30-year-old now wants to go to the Court of Cassation.
• Call for solidarity with journalist Oruç as trial nears 

  A call for solidarity was made for Journalist Aziz Oruc, whose trial will begin on 21 July.
• Women's Press Union established in Qamishlo 

  “The media plays an important role. It shows the world the way of truth. It can analyse and assess events before they occur. As a result, the press is almost more important than diplomatic means," Ehmed said.
• Journalist detained in the operation against DTK 

  Yet another person has been arrested in the scope of the investigation launched against the civil society organization DTK.
• Suspended prison sentence for journalist over Tahir Elçi cartoon 

  Kurdish journalist Özgür Paksoy has been sentenced to a suspended prison term of almost one year for “insulting the president”. A caricature of the Brazilian cartoonist Carlos Latuff, which shows the slain lawyer Tahir Elçi, was cited as evidence.
• Trial against journalist Sabiha Temizkan adjourned 

  The trial of Sabiha Temizkan has begun in Istanbul. The journalist is accused of "terror propaganda" due to Twitter posts.
• Court orders release of three journalists  

  The trial was adjourned to 9 September.
• Prison sentence for Jinnews journalist who 'liked' posts 

  Jinnews journalist Beritan Canözer sentenced to prison for the "likes" she posted on social media.
• 46 organisations demand freedom for Kurdish journalist Türfent 

  The International Press Institute (IPI), PEN International, Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) and 43 other organisations marked the 1,500th day of Kurdish journalist Nedim Türfent’s imprisonment calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
• Kurdish journalists prevented from entering Edirne 

  The journalists were not allowed to enter Edirne and were forcibly sent back to Istanbul.
• Grave of murdered journalist for Özgür Gündem desecrated 

  Attacks on the graves of the Kurds continue increasingly in Turkey.
• Dicle Fırat Journalists Association pays tribute to Hafız Akdemir 

  Akdemir received threatening phone calls at work and at home in response to articles he had written about the Islamic organization Hezbollah and Turkish counter-guerrillas.
• Kurdish journalist Dilbahar walks out of prison after 10 years 

  Kurdish journalist and writer Hamit Dilbahar has been released from prison after more than ten years. The 44-year-old, who was most recently detained in Van F-type prison, was received by his relatives and friends on Friday.
• Kurdish journalist jailed for sending money to a friend in prison 

  Journalist Rojhat Doğru has been arrested in Amed on terrorism charges. He is accused of having sent money to a friend in prison.
• PACE says Turkey and Azerbaijan should stop attacking journalists 

  Stefan Schennach (Austria, SOC), General Rapporteur on media freedom and the safety of journalists for PACE, expressed concern over the detention of journalists going on for many years especially in Turkey.
• Journalist killed in Mexico, third this year: official 

  RSF regularly ranks Mexico alongside war-torn Syria and Afghanistan as the world’s most dangerous countries for news media.
• Sinn Féin condemns threats against journalists in Ireland 

  Journalists play a key role in society in holding people in public office to account and shining a light on criminal gangs which are a blight on the community, said Finucane.
• Freedom Forum adds two Kurdish reporters to Journalists Memorial 

  The 11 journalists added to the memorial this year include Saad Ahmad and Mihemed Hisen Reşo who were killed by a Turkish airstrike in northern Syria last year.
• 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.