Journalism groups urge X to resist Turkey access blocks

International journalism organizations, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and the Turkish Journalists Union (TGS), have issued a joint call to X regarding increasing access blocks on media and journalist accounts in Turkey.

Authorities in Turkey have ordered the blocking of numerous accounts on X, including those belonging to journalists, political parties, and the Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD). Reports indicate that in September, at least 1,270 X accounts faced access blocking orders, with 90 percent being made invisible by the platform in Turkey. Of these, only 115 were reportedly backed by court orders.

The organizations are urging X to examine the legal basis of requests from Turkey, reject disproportionate demands, and increase transparency by publishing reports on such requests. They have also requested that when restrictions are legally mandatory, they should be limited to specific content rather than making entire accounts invisible to users.