FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• Journalist Ishak Yasul sentenced to prison in Istanbul 

  The former editor-in-chief of the closed down daily Özgürlükçü Demokrasi, Ishak Yasul, has been sentenced to ten months in prison in Istanbul.
• Council of Europe discusses the arrest of journalists in Van 

  The journalists in question documented how two civilians were thrown from a military helicopter after getting arrested by Turkish soldiers.
• Jailed journalist: We will protect the honor of our profession 

  Imprisoned Journalist Adnan Bilen says; "We will continue to keep journalism alive."
• YPJ Press Center commemorates martyrs 

  Commemorating the press martyrs, YPJ said, "They shared every moment of the war and resistance in severe conditions with the public. We will write the history of the liberation of our lands with their pen."
• HDP says 130 journalists faced trial in the last three months 

  Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Muş MP, Şevin Coşkun, disclosed the quarterly press report. According to the report 130 journalists were tried in the last three months and 10 of them were sentenced to more than 51 years in prison.
• Four journalists jailed for reporting on the “helicopter torture” 

  Four Kurdish journalists have been imprisoned in Van for reporting the cases of two civilians who were thrown from helicopter by Turkish soldiers.
• DFG reports rights violations against journalists in September 

  The Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) in Amed published its 'September Report on Violations of Journalists'.
• MA reporter taken into custody in Şırnak 

  The Turkish regime’s repression and attacks against Kurdish press continue uninterrupted.
• 'Kurdish women journalists won't hesitate seeking truth' 

  The Mesopotamia Women Journalists Platform celebrated Kurdish Women Journalists Day. "We never hesitate to seek truth, and we won’t start doing it now.”
• Turgut's brother: They arrest journalists for being our voice 

  Naif Turgut, brother of Servet Turgut, who died from the injuries he sustained after being thrown from the military helicopter, protested the arrest of the journalists who exposed the horrible events.
• Lawyer restriction for journalists detained in Van 

  After 4 journalists were detained in Van, a 24-hour lawyer restriction was imposed.
• Group from Mannheim takes over Freedom for Öcalan Vigil  

  The Freedom for Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan Vigil in front of the Council of Europe building in Strasbourg continues this week with a new group of activists from the city of Mannheim.
• Police raid Mezopotamya Agency Van office, detain 4 journalists 

  Turkish police raided the Mezopotamya Agency Van office and the homes of the journalists who documented with a hospital report that villagers Turgut and Şiban were thrown from a helicopter by soldiers. Four journalists were detained.
• Press In Arrest says that 64 journalists were tried in September 

  Press In Arrest announced its “September 2020 Press Freedom Report”. The report pointed out that 64 journalists were tried in September.
• Police detain journalist Hakkı Boltan 

  Journalist Hakkı Boltan was detained following a raid in his home this morning as part of the political genocide operation.
• Turkey blocks access to Nûçe Ciwan Agency website 

  Nûçe Ciwan Agency (Youth News Agency) said in a statement that the Turkish state once again blocked its website.
• Turkey bans Nuçe Ciwan Agency for the 51st time 

  Nuçe Ciwan (Youth News) Agency banned for the 51st time by the Turkish state.
• Journalist Aziz Oruç remains in prison 

  The second day of hearing in the main trial against Kurdish journalist Aziz Oruç took place in Ağrı. The court ordered an extension of his detention pending trial.
• English PEN gives jailed Kurdish journalist honorary membership 

  Türfent said that the award “will open a new window in my cell in this depressing and draining prison."
• Censorship targets Nûçe Ciwan Agency  

  Confronted with an access barrier once again, Nûçe Ciwan Agency said in a written statement that their struggle will continue in line with the revolutionary and free press tradition.
• Journalist Oktay Candemir taken into custody 

  The journalist continues to be target of Turkish authorities.
• DFG: 2 journalists jailed, 8 others attacked in August 

  Journalism in Turkey: A journalist was arrested because he was reporting on the suicide of a Kurdish woman after being raped by a Turkish sergeant. In Amed, the police tried to recruit a journalist as an informer.
• NRT reporter arrested in Zakho on hunger strike 

  NRT reporter Ahmad Zakhoy’s life in danger, warns local press freedom watchdog.
• Van Governor defends ban, targets ANF 

  Van Governor M. Emin Bilmez said about the ban going on for 4 years: "Look at the news of the ANF, and you will understand why we are implementing this ban."
• KDP shuts down the NRT offices in Duhok and Hewler 

  The NRT offices in Duhok and Hewler have been shut down today after an obstruction of its reporters from covering the developments and protests in the region.