FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• Memorial for ANF journalist Murat Kuseyri 

  A large number of people came together in Stockholm to share their memories and feelings about journalist Murat Kuseyri and said that he left an irreplaceable void.
• Tribute paid to journalist Gurbetelli Ersöz  

  Gurbetelli Ersöz was Turkey’s first female editor-in-chief. She was born in the Akbulut village of Elazığ’s Palu district. On 8 October 1997, she fell as a martyr in a clash with the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP).
• More journalists sued and sentenced to prison in Turkey in September 

  Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) announced that 6 journalists were investigated, 7 were prosecuted, and 6 others were sentenced to 27 years and 3 months in prison in the month of September.
• Prosecutor demands up to 15 years prison sentence for journalist Kara 

  A prison sentence of up to 15 years was demanded in the lawsuit filed against journalist Ayşe Kara at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court.
• CFWJI says at least 10 women journalists attacked in Turkey in September 

  The Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) said that at least 10 women journalists have been attacked in Turkey in the month of September.
• Six journalists sentenced to prison in Turkey in September 

  The Journalists' Association of Turkey has announced that six journalists were sentenced to 27 years and 3 months in prison in September.
• Özgür Gündem Trial: “We will never give up our struggle for humanity” 

  Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Erol Önderoglu and Ahmet Nesin face a re-trial in the Özgür Gündem case after being acquitted on charges of membership in a terrorist organization in July 2019.
• Up to 20 years jail time asked for journalist Yalçın 

  Journalist Nurcan Yalçın is facing up to 20 years jail time.
• Death threat against Kurdish journalist in Batman 

  Journalist Idris Yayla has received death threats by phone, and shots were fired outside his apartment in Batman. He had previously been threatened on digital networks, including by the account "Codename Yeşil".
• 40th ban for Jinnews agency 

  Access to the website of women’s news agency Jinnews was banned for the 40th time.
• MA editor faces investigation over the “helicopter torture” report 

  Ferhat Çelik, the Editor-in-Chief of the Mezopotamya Agency, faces investigation over the news article about the detention of journalists who had reported about two villagers thrown off a military helicopter in Van province.
• Jailed Kurdish journalist Türfent becomes honorary member of PEN Melbourne 

  Australia’s PEN Melbourne center has announced that journalist Nedim Türfent has been granted honorary membership. Sending a message from prison, the journalist has thanked for "the honor erasing the borders desired to be set by hegemons."
• Journalist Yelda Çiçek sentenced to one year and eight months in prison 

  Journalist Yelda Çiçek was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison.
• Freedom House: Internet freedom continues to decline in Turkey 

  Freedom House published a new report on freedom of the internet and said that Turkey ranked 34th out of 100 countries examined.
• CFWIJ expresses concern over violations against women journalists in Turkey 

  Over the past seven months, CFWIJ has noted with concern the dangerous digital-physical terrain that women journalists in Turkey have had to navigate in order to continue doing their jobs.
• Second hearing of the trial against Kurdish writer Roza Metina to take place today 

  The second hearing of the trial against Roza Metina, writer and Kurdish editor of Jin News, will be held today in Diyarbakır.
• 8 journalists attacked, access to 211 news titles blocked in August 

  According to the August report of the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association, 5 journalists were detained, 8 journalists were investigated, 8 journalists were attacked, access to 211 news and 6 websites was blocked.
• Kurdistan Digital Media Council established 

  Kurdish people living in many parts of the world, especially in the four parts of Kurdistan, announced the establishment of the Kurdistan Digital Media Council.
• Journalist Ehmed: We are very lucky to witness this historic resistance 

  ANHA correspondent Dicle Ehmed said that “the forces, consisting of the children of Manbij, took part in the liberation of Kobanê and Sirin, not only in their own cities, and fought against ISIS in many other places.”
• Jinnews journalist Beritan Canözer taken into custody 

  Jinnews journalist Beritan Canözer was taken into custody this morning.
• Court sentences journalist Karakaş to nine years and nine months in prison 

  Journalist İbrahim Karakaş of Yeni Yaşam newspaper has been sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison.
• Information and Communication Technologies Authority blocks access to Jin News 

  Access to Jin News has been blocked for the 32nd by the Turkish authorities.
• RAM FM begins broadcasting this morning 

  RAM FM opened in Qamishlo and started broadcasting as of 8 am this morning.
• RAJIN pays tribute to journalist Deniz Fırat 

  RAJIN issued a written statement on the anniversary of the martyrdom of journalist Deniz Fırat, who fell in the attack carried out by ISIS in 2014 in Maxmur.
• Police violence against journalists 

  Media workers in Turkey are increasingly being hindered in their work by the police. Freelance journalist Emre Orman was hit in the face at an event in Istanbul.