content tagged with Press Freedom

RSF: Turkey arrested 43 journalists in 2023

RSF: Turkey arrested 43 journalists in 2023

The decrease in the number of journalists who are currently behind bars do not signify an absence of arrests in the country due to continues arrests and subsequent releases, notes the RSF.

14 December 2023

Journalist İsmail Arı acquitted in 'libel' case filed by former minister

Journalist İsmail Arı acquitted in 'libel' case filed by former minister

Arı had covered a tender in which Mustafa Varank's cousin secured a contract.

29 November 2023

T24 editor-in-chief acquitted for alleged insulting of a public official

T24 editor-in-chief acquitted for alleged insulting of a public official

Following the publication of an article by the online news portal T24 on a tender won by the cousin of Turkey's Industry and Technology Minister, the editor-in-chief, Doğan Akın, found himself accused of tarnishing Minister Mustafa Varank's reputation.

'Time to go to jail again if I want to vote!'

'Time to go to jail again if I want to vote!'

"I am out, but officially I am in jail. I want to be able to cast a vote in these elections where even one vote is seen as so important. Do I have to go to jail in order to be able to vote?"

11 April 2023 Nedim Türfent

‘Feminist movements all around the world should solidarize with Afghanistan’

ZAHRA NADER TELLS / 2

‘Feminist movements all around the world should solidarize with Afghanistan’

Zahra Nader, a journalist from Afghanistan, says that in the face of what is happening in Afghanistan, the international media “need to make their countries and politicians responsible for doing the right thing and not what is easy.”

13 December 2022 Selay Dalaklı

‘We need to tell the story of women in Afghanistan right now’

ZAHRA NADER TELLS / 1

‘We need to tell the story of women in Afghanistan right now’

Zahra Nader, a journalist from Afghanistan, says, “Afghanistan is in the most severe women’s rights crisis in the world right now. So, we want to tell the story of how women resist, how they live in this situation, and what the cost is.”

12 December 2022 Selay Dalaklı

Another article of 'censorship bill' adopted, journalists walk out of parliament in protest

Another article of 'censorship bill' adopted, journalists walk out of parliament in protest

According to the newly adopted article 15, in case it is understood that a press card holder does not have the qualifications required by the law or that they lose such qualifications over time, the Directorate of Communications will have the authority to revoke the press card.

12 October 2022

Parliament passes 12 more articles of 'disinformation bill' amid protest from journalists

Parliament passes 12 more articles of 'disinformation bill' amid protest from journalists

Fourteen of the 40 articles of the have now been passed in the parliament. The newly accepted articles make it mandatory to share the contact information of internet news sites in an "easily accessible form."

Disinformation law 'final stage of AKP's media restrictions'

Disinformation law 'final stage of AKP's media restrictions'

Academic Emre Tansu Keten says, "Cards such as the Press Advertisement Institution and press credentials will constitute the first stage of censorship. And the threat of imprisonment will serve as the second. In the end, the censorship law will be a tool to silence the media."

6 October 2022 Hikmet Adal

Journalist Zeynep Kuray detained while following workers' protests

Journalist Zeynep Kuray detained while following workers' protests

"The bosses of the Emlak Konut GYO, with the guidance of a plainclothes police officer, filed a complaint against me for 'damaging public property," the journalist said after her release.

In solidarity with their arrested colleagues, journalists traveled to Diyarbakır

In solidarity with their arrested colleagues, journalists traveled to Diyarbakır

A group of journalists from İstanbul and Ankara traveled to Diyarbakır in solidarity for the 16 journalists who were arrested last week. Journalists said, "We are here to say Kurdish journalists are not alone."

Statement from CPJ for arrested journalists

Statement from CPJ for arrested journalists

“Turkish authorities should immediately release the journalists who were arrested in Diyarbakır for no apparent reason,” Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator has said.

Accused of amplifying critical reporting, Google says it has no special algorithm for Turkey

Accused of amplifying critical reporting, Google says it has no special algorithm for Turkey

A parliamentary company had requested the company to explain its algorithms after claims that it favors outlets critical of the government.

Why do journalists oppose disinformation bill?

Why do journalists oppose disinformation bill?

The government aims to silent critical journalism ahead of the elections, according to representatives of journalism groups.

8 June 2022 Hikmet Adal

International journalism organizations call on Turkey to withdraw disinformation bill

International journalism organizations call on Turkey to withdraw disinformation bill

"Disinformation is an important issue and needs to be combatted but not at the price of restricting journalists' rights and the public's rights of freedom of expression," 23 organizations said in a statement.

Journalism organizations call for withdrawal of Press Law amendment

Journalism organizations call for withdrawal of Press Law amendment

The bill will not solve the disinformation problem but will only aggravate censorship, the groups have said in a joint statement.

Investigation into bianet report about ‘lawsuit against journalists’

Investigation into bianet report about ‘lawsuit against journalists’

Former editor-in-chief of bianet who testified at the police station has said that the article in question was "not libel but journalism."

BirGün newspaper to pay damages to foundation led by Erdoğan’s son-in-law

BirGün newspaper to pay damages to foundation led by Erdoğan’s son-in-law

Upon the lawsuit filed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's son-in-law, Selçuk Bayraktar, and his brother, Haluk Bayraktar, against BirGün, a compensation decision was given for a news article.

Top administrative court annuls ban on filming police officers during protests

FINAL VERDICT

Top administrative court annuls ban on filming police officers during protests

The Council of State has rejected the appeals of the Minister of Interior and General Director of Security and annulled the ban

IPI condemns AKP’s omnibus bill foreseeing prison term for news on companies

IPI condemns AKP’s omnibus bill foreseeing prison term for news on companies

The International Press Institute has “strongly condemned” the new measures proposed by the government that would lead journalists to face up to 3 years in prison for news that “undermines trust” or “damages the reputation” of finance companies.

Journalism within four walls: State of Emergency continues

2021 REPORT ON TURKEY

Journalism within four walls: State of Emergency continues

According to the report of the Dicle Fırat Journalist Association, there are 65 journalists behind bars in Turkey.

241 journalists put on trial, 115 physically attacked in Turkey in 2021

REPORT ON JOB SATISFACTION

241 journalists put on trial, 115 physically attacked in Turkey in 2021

According to the report, in 2021, no steps were taken to remove the obstacles standing in the way of freedom of press and expression in Turkey. On the contrary, the deterioration of fundamental rights and freedoms continued.

Rights group monitored 49 trials: 2 journalists, 1 writer sentenced to 112 months in prison

FEBRUARY 2022

Rights group monitored 49 trials: 2 journalists, 1 writer sentenced to 112 months in prison

The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) has released its Trial Monitoring Report for February: "'Insulting the president' charge constituted 7 percent of the charges. 75 percent of the evidence cited for this charge was social media posts".

Access block to PİRHA, Yeni Yaşam news websites

Access block to PİRHA, Yeni Yaşam news websites

The Hatay 1st Criminal Judgeship of Peace has imposed an access block on the websites of Pir News Agency and Yeni Yaşam newspaper.

Censorship on main opposition CHP MP lifted, 153 news reports still access blocked

Censorship on main opposition CHP MP lifted, 153 news reports still access blocked

The İzmir 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace has lifted the access block on a news report published on main opposition CHP MP Murat Bakan’s website regarding an agricultural land being allegedly zoned for construction by a sub-governor.

'The first casualty of war is the truth, we journalists side with peace, not war'

JOURNALISTS' UNION OF TURKEY

'The first casualty of war is the truth, we journalists side with peace, not war'

The TGS has released a statement about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and criticized Twitter for profiling the employees of Russia-based Sputnik news website. The union has also requested that peace be established as soon as possible.

International rights organizations express support for journalists in Ukraine

International rights organizations express support for journalists in Ukraine

85 international rights and press freedom organizations, including the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) from Turkey, have released a joint statement amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: "We unilaterally condemn the violence and aggression."

28 February 2022

IPI condemns the attack on columnist Memduh Bayraktaroğlu's house

IPI condemns the attack on columnist Memduh Bayraktaroğlu's house

“Turkey must make clear that violence against journalists is unacceptable,” says International Press Institute Turkey Programme Coordinator Akyavaş regarding the attempted raid on Korkusuz newspaper columnist Bayraktaroğlu’s house.

25 February 2022

Court accepts indictment against jailed journalist Sedef Kabaş: Up to 12 years in prison

Court accepts indictment against jailed journalist Sedef Kabaş: Up to 12 years in prison

Held in pre-trial detention for “insulting the President”, journalist Sedef Kabaş is now facing up to 12 years, 10 months in prison as the indictment charging her with “insulting the President” and “insulting public officials” has been accepted.

15 February 2022

‘RTÜK head wants no news to be reported, no criticism to be leveled at government'

INTERVIEW WITH FARUK BİLDİRİCİ

‘RTÜK head wants no news to be reported, no criticism to be leveled at government'

Media ombudsperson Faruk Bildirici has spoken to bianet about the inquiry launched by the Radio and Television Supreme Council against Halk TV and its order to three international news websites to apply for a license within 72 hours.

11 February 2022 Hikmet Adal

The state of press freedom in Turkey: 18 journalists sentenced to prison in 3 months

2021 4TH QUARTERLY REPORT

The state of press freedom in Turkey: 18 journalists sentenced to prison in 3 months

According to a report published by Expression Interrupted, in the last quarter of 2021, 203 journalists appeared before the judge in 98 cases, which means on average, 70 journalists stood trial in more than 30 cases monthly during the reporting period.

27 January 2022

ECtHR convicts Turkey over journalist Deniz Yücel’s imprisonment

ECtHR convicts Turkey over journalist Deniz Yücel’s imprisonment

The European Court of Human Rights has concluded that Turkey violated the freedom of expression and right to liberty and security of journalist Deniz Yücel, who was held in prison for 367 days in the country.

25 January 2022

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