T24 news portal and social media accounts blocked by Turkish court

T24 news portal LGBTQ+ rights press freedom My Family Is Safe investigation Turkey censorship

A Turkish court has ordered the closure of the independent news portal T24 and its associated social media accounts, including X, YouTube, and Instagram. The İstanbul 1st Criminal Court of Peace issued the ruling following an investigation by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office known as ‘My Family Is Safe’.

Authorities claim the decision is based on 118 pieces of content published by T24 over the past year that were categorized as ‘LGBT propaganda’. The Justice Ministry stated that the order has been forwarded to the Cyber Security Presidency for implementation. The investigation is part of a broader government campaign aimed at protecting family values and minors.

T24 has responded by stating it has not yet received official notification of the ban and intends to appeal the decision. The outlet also noted it has been the target of a recent defamation and online lynching campaign.

The crackdown has drawn significant criticism from human rights organizations and international bodies. Thirteen press professional organizations in Turkey issued a joint statement condemning the move as a severe attack on press freedom and the rule of law. The European Union has expressed concern regarding the digital blocking and arrests associated with the ‘My Family Is Safe’ investigation.

Entities

Cyber Security Presidency · European Union · Human Rights Watch · Istanbul 1st Criminal Court of Peace · Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office · Justice Ministry · Justice Ministry of Turkey · T24 · Turkey · Turkish Justice Ministry

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] The closure is part of an investigation titled ‘My Family Is Safe’. journo.com.tr · turkishminute.com · www.son.tv · dete.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · +1 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The Justice Ministry announced that the decision was sent to the Cyber Security Presidency for implementation. journo.com.tr · turkishminute.com · www.son.tv · dete.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · +1 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Prosecutors identified 118 pieces of content published by T24 over the last year as ‘LGBT propaganda’. journo.com.tr · turkishminute.com · www.son.tv · dete.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] T24 stated the outlet had been facing a campaign of defamation and online targeting. journo.com.tr · turkishminute.com · www.gazetebirlik.com
[● 7 SOURCES] The İstanbul 1st Criminal Court of Peace ordered the closure of the T24 news website and its social media accounts. journo.com.tr · turkishminute.com · www.son.tv · dete.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The European Union expressed concern regarding the arrests and digital blocking in Turkey. dete.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] The ban includes T24's social media accounts, including X, YouTube, and Instagram. turkishminute.com · www.gazetebirlik.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The crackdown is part of a broader campaign targeting LGBTQ+ groups and activists. www.businessdaily.gr · turkishminute.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Thirteen press organizations issued a joint statement condemning the closure of T24. www.diken.com.tr