FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• The prosecutor who summoned journalists to court cannot be reached 

  The prosecutor that summoned journalists to court to testify for showing solidarity with Özgür Gündem newspaper cannot be found.
• 4 more people supporting Özgür Gündem under investigation 

  Nadire Mater, Yıldırım Türker, Tuğrul Eryılmaz and Faruk Balıkçı have been summoned to court for having participated in the ‘Chief Editor on Watch’ campaign organized for supporting Özgür Gündem.
• RSF delegation in Turkey urges release of jailed press members 

  A delegation from Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières - RSF) made a statement to the press in front of the Metris Prison to condemn the arrests and call for solidarity.
• Demirtaş: Özgür Gündem is targeted because it exposes crimes 

  HDP Co-President Demirtaş condemned the arrest of journalists showing solidarity with Özgür Gündem. Demirtaş emphasized the intervention of the AKP, and called for showing solidarity against the AKP’s attempt to seize DBP municipalities.
• Journalists: We are ready for Özgür Gündem 

  Many journalists met in the Özgür Gündem central bureau to show solidarity with the newspaper. 107 journalists signed the solidarity statement and said that they were ready for Özgür Gündem.
• Can Dündar calls for solidarity with Özgür Gündem 

  Can Dündar has taken on the role of editor in chief for Özgür Gündem for a day. Dündar protested yesterday’s arrests and called for solidarity.
• Three 'Editor-in-Chiefs On Watch' for Özgür Gündem arrested 

  Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, writer Ahmet Nesin, and journalist Erol Önderoğlu have been arrested for showing solidarity with Özgür Gündem.
• Arrest demand for participants of the campaign for press freedom 

  Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, journalist Erol Önderoğlu and writer Ahmet Nesin were referred to a court for participating in a campaign in solidarity with pro-Kurdish Özgür Gündem daily.
• DIHA reporter Oruç released after 5 months in prison 

  Dicle News Agency (DIHA) reporter Nedim Oruç who had been arrested for journalistic works in Şırnak's Silopi district on January 5, has been released.
• Journalist Hayri Tunç sentenced to 2 years in prison 

  Journalist Hayri Tunç was convicted of “terrorist propaganda” and received a prison sentence of 2 years.
• Turkey's repression of journalists continues 

  The Association of Free Journalists (ÖGC) has released its report for the month of May on the increasingly ongoing repression and right violations against members of the free press in Turkey.
• ANF reporter Ali Barış Kurt detained in Çorum 

  Journalist Ali Barış Kurt has been taken into custody in Sungurlu district of Çorum.
• DİHA news agency banned for the 40th time 

  The Telecommunication Communication Directorate (TİB) has barred access to DİHA for the 40th time.
• ÖGC: 8 journalists detained, 5 arrested in Turkey in 15 days 

  The Association of Free Journalists (ÖGC) pointed out that journalists doing their job in Turkey are facing increasing detentions, arrests, threats and attacks alongside the ongoing censorship of news agencies and portals.
• Failed armed attack targets journalist Can Dündar outside courthouse 

  Turkish journalist Can Dündar was targeted by an failed armed attack outside Istanbul Courthouse where he stood trial Friday afternoon.
• DIHA reporter sentenced to 6 years in prison 

  The first hearing of Murat Verim, reporter for Dicle News Agency (DIHA) and staff of the Press, Media and Public Relations Department of Mardin's Kerboran (Dargeçit) Municipality, has been held at Midyat High Criminal Court today.
• İMC TV News Director detained by police 

  Independent news channel İMC TV's News Director Hamza Aktan was detained by the police in a house raid today.
• Turkey among the worst of 180 countries in press freedom 

  According to the Reporters Without Borders’ 2016 report, Turkey comes in at number 151 among 180 countries, falling back two spots with regards to the previous year.
• DİHA reporter Meltem Oktay arrested 

  DİHA reporter Meltem Oktay was arrested on charges of “membership to a terrorist organisation” after she was detained in Nusaybin and sent to the court earlier this week. Another reporter for DIHA, Uğur Akgül was released under judicial control.
• Yellow press cards of Özgür Gündem employees revoked 

  The Prime Ministry General Directorate of Media And Information (BYEGM) revoked the “Yellow Press Cards” of the newspaper Özgür Gündem employees.
• IMC TV blacked out upon a demand by Ankara chief prosecutor 

  Pressures are growing against the few media outlets that adopt an attitude other than what the government of Turkey wants and imposes.
• DIHA reporter jailed for “spreading propaganda on social media” 

  Dicle News Agency (DIHA) reporter Nazım Daştan who was detained in the province of Antep the day before, has been remanded in custody.
• Another DIHA reporter detained in Dargeçit 

  As Kurdish media remains on target within the scope of the all-out war waged by the Turkish state against Kurdish population, yet another reporter for Dicle News Agency has been taken into custody in Dargeçit.
• DIHA reporter tortured in custody 

  A photo released today reveals the torture suffered by Dicle news agency (DIHA) reporter Nedim Oruç after his detention in Silopi district of Şırnak on 5 January.
• DIHA reported detained in Silopi sent to jail 

  DIHA (Dicle News Agency) reporter Nedim Oruç who was tortured and detained in Şırnak's Silopi district two days ago has been remanded in custody on alleged charges of “spreading propaganda for an illegal organisation”.