FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• 16 journalists in Amed spend their 220th day in prison 

  The 16 journalists arrested in Amed on 16 June 2022 because of their journalistic activities are still in prison. 220 days have passed and no indictment has been prepared yet.
• Jailed documentary director Tekin: "I am patiently waiting for free and fair days" 

  Imprisoned documentary director Sibel Tekin sent a message saying: “I am patiently waiting for free and fair days.”
• Remembering Agos editor Hrant Dink 

  Agos editor Hrant Dink was killed in Istanbul 16 years ago.
• Court upholds prison sentence against journalist Abdurrahman Gök 

  An appeals court in Amed has upheld a "terror" sentence of one and a half years in prison against Kurdish journalist Abdurrahman Gök for taking photos of the fight against ISIS.
• Photograph used as evidence in arrest of journalist Kartal 

  The only evidence for the arrest of journalist Sezgin Kartal, who was taken into custody on 10 January in Istanbul, was a photograph taken in 2004 that was not examined by any expert to check it had not been modified.
• Journalist Sezgin Kartal sent to prison 

  Journalist Sezgin Kartal, who was taken into custody on 10 January, Working Journalists' Day, as part of an investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, was sent to prison.
• DFG marks 10 January: 87 journalists are behind bars in Turkey 

  The Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) Co-Chair Dicle Müftüoğlu stated that 87 journalists are currently jailed, stressing that they regard January 10 Working Journalists Day as a day of struggle, not a celebration.
• Jailed journalists mark Working Journalists’ Day: A day of resistance 

  Jailed journalists marked January 10 Working Journalists' Day in prison, saying; “Even though we are jailed, our struggle to write the truth continues. January 10 is a day of resistance to us.”
• Police take journalist Sezgin Kartal into custody 

  Journalist Sezgin Kartal was detained in a police raid on his house in the morning.
• Prosecutor dismisses investigation into imprisoned women journalists' complaint over strip-searches 

  Prosecutors in Ankara have dismissed an investigation into imprisoned women journalists' complaint that they had been strip-searched at Sincan Women's Prison.
• DFG: 39 journalists arrested, 76 sentenced in 2022 

  The report published by the Dicle Firat Journalists Association (DFG) said that in 2022, 39 journalists were arrested and 76 sentenced.
• 68 journalists killed in 2022, says IFJ 

  The International Federation of Journalists released its annual list of journalists and media staff killed in work-related incidents.
• 87 journalists will start 2023 in prison 

  DFG executive Hakkı Boltan stated that 87 journalists will welcome the new year in prison. MKGP Spokesperson Roza Metina wanted society to protect journalists.
• Journalist Hayri Demir sentenced to imprisonment 

  Journalist Hayri Demir was sentenced in Ankara to almost two years in prison for "press propaganda for a terrorist organisation" after critical statements on digital networks.
• Turkish TV channel receives fine because of the host "praising terrorism with mimics" 

  Halk TV has received a fine reportedly because of the host "praising terrorism with mimics" during a program.
• Association of Documentary Filmmakers demands release of director Sibel Tekin 

  The Association of Documentary Filmmakers demanded the release of director Sibel Tekin, who was arrested on the grounds that she also shot a police vehicle while making a documentary.
• Documentary director Sibel Tekin sent to prison 

  Documentary director Sibel Tekin, who was taken into custody on 16 December, was sent to prison from the courthouse to which she was transferred, on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization".
• Documentary director Tekin to remain in custody one more day  

  Documentary director Sibel Tekin will remain in custody one more day due to the examination of the materials seized in her house.
• Call for the release of Kurdish journalists jailed for six months without indictment 

  Under the AKP/MHP regime, the media in Turkey are almost completely controlled. Only a few journalists are still trying to report independently, despite massive repression. As a result, 16 of them have been in prison without charge since June.
• Police take documentary director and journalist Sibel Tekin into custody 

  Documentary director and journalist Sibel Tekin was taken into custody by the police.
• RSF: A record total of 533 journalists are jailed worldwide 

  While 533 journalists are currently detained worldwide, a total of 57 paid with their lives for their commitment to report the news in 2022 – an 18.8% increase compared to 2021.
• Journalist Sinan Aygül imprisoned 

  The chairman of the Bitlis Journalists' Association, Sinan Aygül, has been arrested on charges of inciting hatred on Twitter.
• CPJ: Record number of journalists in prison 

  The Committee to Protect Journalists stated that the number of journalists imprisoned worldwide in 2022 broke a record. The Turkish state is among the top five countries where the most journalists are imprisoned.
• Police take journalist Sinan Aygül into custody 

  Journalist Sinan Aygül was taken into custody on the grounds of his news about harassment.
• Journalists from Kurdistan living in Switzerland establish "Kurdistan Journalists Association" 

  Journalists from Kurdistan living in Switzerland announced the establishment of the "Kurdistan Journalists Association".