FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• Journalist Kızmaz released  

  Journalist Mehmet Kızmaz, who was detained due to his posts on social media, was released.
• Journalist Celalettin Yalçın arrested in Istanbul 

  Another Kurdish journalist has been imprisoned in Turkey, which ranks 165th out of 180 countries in RSF's press freedom ranking. According to the Dicle Fırat Journalists' Association (DFG), there are currently at least 64 media professionals behind bars.
• Second hearing in trial of 18 journalists to be held tomorrow 

  The second hearing of the case filed against 18 journalists taken into custody, arrested and released after 13 months in the Amed-based operation will be held tomorrow.
• RojNews agency once again calls on KDP to release journalist Ehmed  

  RojNews agency once again condemned the illegal abduction of its editor Silêman Ehmed and called on the KDP to release him immediately. The journalist was arrested eleven days ago.
• Free Press Association protests kidnapping of journalist Süleyman Ahmet by KDP forces 

  The Free Press Association (YRA) protested the kidnapping of journalist Süleyman Ahmet by KDP forces.
• Journalist Kocakaya sent to prison for an article she wrote in solidarity with Özgür Gündem  

  Dilşa Kocakaya, who wrote an article in solidarity with Özgür Gündem Newspaper, was sent to prison.
• CPJ: Iraqi Kurdish authorities should immediately reveal whereabouts of journalist Ahmed 

  The Committee to Protect Journalists said that Iraqi Kurdish authorities should immediately reveal the whereabouts of Syrian journalist Sleman Mohammed Ahmed and unconditionally release him.
• Journalist Tolga Şardan remanded in custody 

  Journalist Tolga Şardan was arrested because of his article titled "What is in the 'judicial report' submitted by MIT to the Presidency?".
• RSF files complaint with ICC for war crimes against journalists in Palestine and Israel 

  According to RSF’s tally, 34 journalists have been killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, of whom at least 12 were killed in the course of their work – 10 in Gaza, one in Israel and one in Lebanon.
• Free Press Unlimited presents Most Resilient Journalist Award to Dicle Müftüoğlu 

  Dicle Müftüoğlu is the winner of this year's Free Press Unlimited presents Most Resilient Journalist Award.
• Kurdish journalist Firat Can Arslan released from prison 

  MA correspondent Firat Can Arslan was acquitted of charges of "terror propaganda" and "endangering public officials by disseminating media reports”.
• RojNews news agency calls on Iraqi authorities to act for the release of missing journalist 

  The RojNews news agency said that its employee Silêman Ahmed was kidnapped in South Kurdistan by the KDP in order to suppress opposition journalism.
• Iraqi Journalists Union ask Iraqi Kurdish authorities to say what happened to Rojnews Arabic editor 

  The Iraqi Journalists Union made a statement about Rojnews Arabic editor Süleyman Muhammed Ahmed, who was detained by KDP forces on 25 October.
• No news from Rojnews Arabic Service editor since his detention at Semalka Border 

  There has been no news from Rojnews Arabic Service editor Süleyman Ahmet, who was detained by KDP forces. Ahmet's mother asked about the fate of her son.
• Journalist Kaygusuz sent to prison 

  Selahattin Kaygusuz, the distributor in Batman for the pro-Kurdish Yeni Yaşam daily newspaper, was arrested today (October 25). Kaygusuz was detained in Batman on October 20 based on the testimony of witness Ümit Akbıyık, who is the witness in the files
• MFRR report: Journalists in Turkey are faced with trumped-up charges 

  MFRR documented a record number of press and media freedom violations in Turkey - 136 cases involving 172 persons or media entities.
• Up to 15 years in prison sought for journalist Beritan Canözer 

  Beritan Canözer is one of four Kurdish media workers arrested at the end of April. This followed a nationwide operation against the Kurdish opposition and civil society, in the course of which around 200 people were taken into custody.
• Journalist Selahattin Kaygusuz imprisoned in Amed 

  The Turkish regime's attacks against Kurdish media workers remain widespread and show no signs of abating.
• Two female journalists sentenced to prison for reporting on the killing of Jina Amini 

  Iran continues prosecuting journalists who have dealt with the killing of Jina Mahsa Amini a year ago.
• Journalist Kaygusuz remains in police custody  

  Journalist Selehattin Kaygusuz saw his custody period extended. He is now expected to give his statement on Monday, 23 October.
• Kurdish journalist Maroofian arrested and tortured in Sulaymaniyah 

  Kurdish journalist Nazila Maroofian left Iran due to heavy political persecution and said she was arrested and tortured in the southern Kurdish city of Sulaymaniyah.
• Journalist Kanbal taken into custody in Mardin 

  Journalist Ahmet Kanbal was detained in the police political operation carried out in Mardin.
• Journalist Merdan Yanardağ sentenced and released from prison 

  Turkish journalist Merdan Yanardağ was sentenced to prison on the first day of the trial for his comments on Abdullah Öcalan in Istanbul. The court ordered his release at the same time.
• Journalist Ayşenur Arslan released  

  Journalist Ayşenur Arslan was released after giving her statement at the courthouse in Istanbul.
• Dicle Firat Association: 63 journalists in prison in September 

  The journalists' association Dicle Firat has published a report on the current situation of press freedom in Turkey and a list of imprisoned media workers. The number rose to 63 in September.