[REVISION HISTORY]

Press freedom and media role in Turkey

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2026-10-25 18:12 UTC → 2026-10-25 18:13 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Journalists and media organizations in Turkey have engaged in both professional discourse and public demonstrations regarding the state of the industry. In Antalya and Aydın, journalists' associations held panels to discuss professional responsibilities and the role of local media in democracy. However, these discussions were followed by widespread protests across at least 10 cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Under the slogan “No to censorship, freedom to news,” media professionals demonstrated against increasing pressures on the press. Key grievances include the detention of journalists, the appointment of trustees to outlets such as TELE 1 and Halk TV, and the blocking of access to news websites and social media. International organizations, including the International Federation of Journalists, have issued motions of solidarity. The Turkish Journalists’ Union reported that 11 journalists have been jailed within a two-month period. Specific incidents include a police raid on Halk TV, leading to suspended broadcasts and the installation of a government-appointed administrator. Furthermore, authorities closed the website and social media accounts of the digital news outlet T24, citing “LGBT propaganda.” On October 24, 2026, journalists, human rights organizations, and opposition members staged coordinated nationwide protests across ten major cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, and Diyarbakır. These demonstrations, described as one of the largest mobilizations by media professionals in recent years, aimed to demand the release of detained journalists and an end to the use of disinformation laws to silence critical reporting. Organizers, including the Turkish Journalists’ Union (TGS), argued that the combination of judicial prosecutions, digital censorship, and the use of state trustees constitutes a “siege of journalism.” During the October 24 demonstrations, protesters utilized the slogan “Enough! We can no longer breathe!” to denounce rising arrests and censorship.

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