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Turkey: MFRR partners condemn Turkey’s broadcast regulator’s decision to…

Turkey: MFRR partners condemn Turkey’s broadcast regulator’s decision to silence TELE1

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners condemn the five-day broadcast blackout imposed on TELE1 since September 1, and the escalating use of censorship sanctions by RTÜK, Turkey’s broadcast regulator, against independent critical media outlets. We urge authorities to stop targeting critical and opposing views and uphold media pluralism in line with democratic standards.

04.09.2025

Türkçe açıklama aşağıdadır…

On July 24, 2025, Turkey’s broadcast regulator RTÜK imposed severe penalties against critical broadcasters, including a temporary broadcast blackout and hefty administrative fines targeting TELE1. The punishment was based on remarks by the channel’s editor-in-chief Merdan Yanardağ, who characterized the 2016 failed coup as “an Islamist coup” and held the ruling AKP government as the main responsible actor. RTÜK alleged that Yanardağ’s comments “incited hatred and enmity among the public.”

 

In early August, a court in Ankara suspended RTÜK’s broadcast ban to allow TELE1 to challenge the decision. However, the suspension was overturned on August 27, clearing the way for the blackout to take effect, from August 31 until 5 September.

 

This is not the first time a critical broadcaster has been silenced in Turkey this year. In July, RTÜK imposed a 10-day broadcast ban on SZC TV  over unfavorable comments about the government. Around the same time, on July 8, Halk TV was also hit with a 10-day broadcast blackout. However, the decision was suspended by a court, allowing the channel to remain on air pending an appeal. 

 

Furthermore, RTÜK issued at least 46 sanctions in the first half of 2025 alone, 42 of them targeting critical outlets, with total fines amounting to nearly 100 million Turkish liras (~2 million Euros).

 

More chillingly, all three broadcasters, TELE1, Halk TV, and SZC TV, now risk the permanent revocation of their licenses should they be seen to repeat the violations within the next year.

 

The MFRR partners regard RTÜK’s decision to silence TELE1, and other critical media outlets, as a direct attack against freedom of expression and media pluralism in Turkey. We urge RTÜK to reverse the broadcast ban and respect the role of independent journalism in a democratic society. 

Signed by:

  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)

Türkiye: MFRR paydaşları, RTÜK’ün Tele1’e yönelik ekran karartma cezasını kınıyor

 

Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) paydaşları, 1 Eylül itibariyle Tele1’e uygulanan beş günlük yayın yasağını ve RTÜK’ün eleştirel medya kuruluşlarına yönelik sansür yaptırımlarını kınıyor. Yetkililerden eleştirel ve muhalif görüşleri hedef almayı bırakmalarını ve demokratik standartlara uygun olarak medya çoğulculuğunu korumalarını talep ediyoruz.

 

24 Temmuz 2025 tarihinde RTÜK (Radyo Televizyon Üst Kurulu), eleştirel yayıncılara ağır cezalar verdi; Tele1’e yönelik beş günlük ekran karartma cezası da bunlar arasındaydı. Ceza, kanalın genel yayın yönetmeni Merdan Yanardağ’ın 2016’daki darbe girişimini “İslamcı darbe girişimi” olarak nitelendirmesi ve AKP iktidarını “temel sorumlu” göstermesine dayandırıldı. RTÜK, Yanardağ’ın yorumlarının “toplumu kin ve düşmanlığa tahrik ettiğini” iddia etti.

 

Ağustosta Ankara 23. İdare Mahkemesi, yürütmeyi durdurma kararı vererek RTÜK’ün yayın yasağını askıya aldı. Ancak bu karar 27 Ağustos’ta iptal edildi ve beş günlük ekran karartma cezası 31 Ağustos’u 1 Eylül’e bağlayan gece başladı.

 

Bu, 2025 yılı içerisinde Türkiye’deki eleştirel bir yayıncıyı susturmaya yönelik verilen ilk ceza değil. Temmuz ayında RTÜK, SZC TV’de hükümet hakkında olumsuz yorumlar yapıldığı gerekçesiyle kanala 10 günlük yayın yasağı getirmiş, Halk TV de 10 günlük yayın karartmasıyla cezalandırılmıştı. Ancak bu karar mahkeme tarafından durdurulmuş, kanalın yayınını sürdürmesine izin verilmişti.

 

RTÜK sadece 2025’in ilk yarısında en az 46 yaptırım uyguladı. Bu cezaların 42’si eleştirel kuruluşları hedef alırken, toplam cezalar neredeyse 100 milyon Türk lirasına (~2 milyon Euro) ulaştı.

 

Daha da endişe verici olanı ise, Tele1, Halk TV ve SZC TV’nin önümüzdeki bir yıl içinde aynı ilkeyi tekrar ihlal etmeleri durumunda lisanslarının kalıcı iptali riskiyle karşı karşıya olmaları.

 

MFRR paydaşları, RTÜK’ün Tele1’i ve diğer eleştirel medya kuruluşlarını susturmaya yönelik kararlarını, Türkiye’de ifade özgürlüğüne ve medya çoğulculuğuna doğrudan bir saldırı olarak görüyor. RTÜK’e Tele1’e yönelik yayın yasağını kaldırması ve demokratik bir toplumda bağımsız gazeteciliğin rolüne saygı göstermesi çağrısında bulunuyoruz.

İmzalayanlar:

  • Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI)
  • ARTICLE 19 Avrupa
  • Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF)
  • Avrupa Gazeteciler Federasyonu (EFJ)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

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IPI condemns armed attack on Evrensel’s İzmir bureau, calls…

IPI condemns armed attack on Evrensel’s İzmir bureau, calls for urgent investigation

The International Press Institute (IPI) strongly condemns the armed attack on the İzmir bureau of Turkey’s Evrensel newspaper and calls on authorities to ensure the safety of critical media outlets and journalists.

13.08.2025

Türkçe açıklama aşağıdadır…

According to reports, a gunman opened fire on Evrensel’s İzmir office, located in the Alsancak district, in the early hours of August 13. He was reportedly brought to the location by another individual. Seven bullet holes were found in the newspaper’s exterior signboard. No staff members were present at the time of the incident.

 

Police detained one suspect and collected shell casings from the scene. However, Evrensel stated that its representatives were not officially informed by the authorities about the incident.

 

Evrensel, an independent and critical Turkish daily, has long been subjected to judicial harassment, punitive fines by Turkey’s broadcast regulator, and sustained political pressure. In August 2022, the Press Advertising Agency (BİK) permanently revoked Evrensel’s right to receive public advertisements.

 

This latest armed attack is not an isolated incident, but a dangerous escalation in an already hostile climate for independent journalism in Turkey. It comes after a July mob attack on Leman magazine, as well as threats and intimidation targeting prominent dissident voices including journalists Fatih Altaylı and İsmail Arı.

 

Attacks of this nature not only endanger journalists but also aim to silence critical voices through fear. IPI is deeply concerned that the failure to fully investigate and prosecute those behind attacks on the press creates a culture of impunity, encouraging further violence against journalists.

 

We urgently call on Turkish authorities to hold all perpetrators accountable, guarantee the safety of journalists, and uphold Turkey’s obligations to protect press freedom in line with democratic and international standards. IPI stands in solidarity with Evrensel and all journalists in the country who continue to report in the face of threats and violence.

IPI, Evrensel gazetesinin İzmir bürosuna yönelik silahlı saldırı için acil soruşturma talep ediyor

Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI), Evrensel gazetesinin İzmir bürosuna düzenlenen silahlı saldırıyı şiddetle kınıyor ve yetkilileri bağımsız medya kuruluşlarının ve gazetecilerin güvenliğini sağlamaya çağırıyor.

13 Ağustos gecesi saat 1.30 civarında bir saldırgan, Evrensel’in İzmir Alsancak’taki ofisine ateş açtı. Ofisin kapı ve tabelasında yedi kurşun deliği tespit edildi. Saldırı sırasında binada kimse bulunmadığı belirtildi.

Olayın ardından polis bir şüpheliyi gözaltına aldı ve olay yerindeki mermi kovanlarını topladı. Ancak Evrensel gazetesi, temsilcilerinin olayla ilgili yetkililer tarafından resmi olarak bilgilendirilmediğini açıkladı.

Bağımsız ve eleştirel bir haber merkezi olan Evrensel, uzun süredir adli taciz, RTÜK cezaları ve siyasi baskıya maruz kalıyor. Ağustos 2022’de ise Basın İlan Kurumu (BİK), Evrensel’in kamu ilanı alma hakkını kalıcı olarak iptal etmişti.

Bu son silahlı saldırı, tek başına bir olay değil, Türkiye’de bağımsız gazetecilik için zaten var olan tehditkar ortamda tehlikeli bir tırmanış niteliğinde. Temmuz ayında Leman dergisine yapılan saldırının yanı sıra, gazeteciler Fatih Altaylı ve İsmail Arı gibi önde gelen muhalif sesleri hedef alan tehdit ve gözdağı vermelerden sonra gelmesi de dikkati çekiyor.

Bu tür saldırılar sadece gazetecileri tehlikeye atmakla kalmıyor, aynı zamanda korku yaratarak eleştirel sesleri susturmayı hedefliyor. IPI, basına yönelik saldırıların faillerinin kapsamlı şekilde soruşturulmaması ve yargılanmamasının cezasızlık kültürünü güçlendirdiği ve gazetecilere karşı şiddeti teşvik ettiği konusunda ciddi kaygı taşıyor.

Türkiye yetkililerinden tüm faillerin hesap vermesini sağlamaları, gazetecilerin güvenliğini garanti altına almaları ve Türkiye’nin demokratik ve uluslararası standartlara uygun basın özgürlüğü yükümlülüklerini yerine getirmelerini acilen talep ediyoruz. IPI, Evrensel ve ülkede tehdit ve şiddet karşısında habercilik yapmaya devam eden tüm gazetecilerle dayanışma içindedir.

This statement was coordinated by IPI as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

Event

Satire on trial: The case of Leman and the…

Satire on trial: 

The case of Leman and the shrinking space for media in Turkey

28 July, 11:00 CET.

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) invites you to a timely and urgent discussion on the escalating crackdown against Leman, one of Turkey’s most prominent satirical magazines, and what this case reveals about the broader assault on media freedom, artistic expression, and independent journalism in Turkey.

Following the publication of a cartoon in its June 26 issue, Leman has faced an intense and coordinated campaign of judicial, economic, and physical repression. The cartoon, which depicted two men named Muhammad and Moses greeting each other above a bombed city, was meant as a critique of Israeli attacks on Gaza, but was swiftly condemned by political and religious figures as offensive. Violent protests, social media outrage, and state-led legal action quickly followed.

By early July, four Leman staff members had been arrested, including the magazine’s editor-in-chief, cartoonist, and graphic designer, facing charges of “inciting hatred” and “insulting religious values.” A financial investigation was launched, the June 26 issue was confiscated, and Leman’s website was banned nationwide.

This alarming episode represents yet another attack on freedom of expression in Turkey, part of a wider pattern of censorship and judicial harassment.

Register here

Speakers

Sinan Gökçen

Programme Officer at Civil Rights Defenders, journalist

Zehra Ömeroğlu

Cartoonist and Former Contributor to Leman Magazine for Over a Decade

Terry Anderson

Executive Director at Cartoonists Rights Network International

Emre İlkan Saklıca

Turkey Programme Coordinator at the International Press Institute (IPI)

Moderator

Gürkan Özturan

Monitoring Officer, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)

Library

Turkey: MFRR partners alarmed by state-backed attacks on Leman…

Turkey: MFRR partners alarmed by state-backed attacks on Leman magazine

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemn the arrest of four staff members of Leman, one of Türkiye’s leading satirical magazines, and express deep concern over the ongoing judicial, economic, and physical pressure targeting the publication following the release of a cartoon deemed offensive by religious and conservative groups.

08.07.2025

Türkçe açıklama aşağıdadır…

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemn the arrest of four staff members of Leman, one of Türkiye’s leading satirical magazines, and express deep concern over the ongoing judicial, economic, and physical pressure targeting the publication following the release of a cartoon deemed offensive by religious and conservative groups.

 

The cartoon, published in Leman’s June 26 issue, depicted two men named Muhammad and Moses greeting each other above a bombed city. The magazine clarified that the cartoon was intended as a criticism of Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, and did not represent religious figures, and denied any intent to insult sacred values. Despite this explanation, a massive backlash ensued, including official condemnation, violent protests, legal actions, and threats of closure.

 

On June 26, Leman published the cartoon in its weekly edition. Over the next three days, online outrage spread with over 345,000 social media posts on X using the hashtag #LemanDergisiKapatılsın. Senior political and religious figures — including the President, Minister of Interior, Minister of Justice, and Governor of Istanbul — publicly denounced the magazine.

 

On July 1, hundreds of angry protesters gathered outside Leman’s Istanbul headquarters, attacking the building and prompting police intervention with rubber bullets and tear gas. Protesters chanted: “We will do anything for our Prophet. We will die, we will kill!”

A criminal investigation was launched under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code for incitement to hatred and enmity and openly insulting religious values, and four staff—Zafer Aknar (editor-in-chief), Cebrail Okçu (graphic designer), Doğan Pehlevan (cartoonist), and Ali Yavuz (manager)— were detained, with the aggressive use of rear-handcuffing.

 

On July 2, all four were formally arrested, facing charges including “inciting public hatred and enmity” and “insulting religious values”, and in Dogan Pehlevan’s case, an additional accusation of insulting the President was reported.

A financial investigation was also initiated against Leman, and arrest warrants were issued for the owner, currently based in France, as well as another senior manager. Authorities are investigating potential foreign financial support, aligning with the controversial “agent of influence” bill targeting foreign-funded entities.

 

In parallel, a court ordered the confiscation of the June 26 print issue and imposed a nationwide access ban on Leman’s official website, further escalating censorship against the outlet.

 

Another concerning development is the July 3 decision of Turkey’s broadcast regulator to impose an administrative fine and suspend five programs for “violation of national and moral values” against Sözcü TV for a commentary on the LeMan cartoon by economics expert Dr. Murat Kubilay. RTÜK justified this decision by explaining that Kubilay’s statement “divides society into enlightened and reactionary groups” and “fuels polarisation”.

 

This campaign of judicial harassment represents a grave violation of press freedom and demonstrates how Turkish authorities continue to weaponise criminal and administrative law to silence independent media.

 

This case is emblematic of the broader decline of press freedom in Turkey, where authorities have consistently used politically motivated prosecutions, economic pressure, and public smear campaigns to target critical and independent voices.

 

The MFRR partners call for the immediate release of all detained Leman staff and for all charges related to the cartoon to be dropped. We urge Turkish authorities to end the political, legal, and financial harassment of the magazine and to uphold their obligation to ensure the safety of its journalists and staff.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

IPI ve MFRR paydaşları, Leman Dergisi’nin hedef alınmasını kınıyor

 

Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) paydaşları olarak Türkiye’nin önde gelen mizah dergilerinden Leman’ın dört çalışanının tutuklanmasını şiddetle kınıyoruz. Muhafazakâr grupların rahatsız edici olduğunu iddia ettiği bir karikatürün yayımlanmasının ardından dergiye yönelik hukuki, mali ve fiziki baskılar fazlasıyla endişe verici.

 

Leman’ın 26 Haziran tarihli sayısında yayımlanan karikatürde Muhammed ve Musa adında iki kişi, bombalanan bir şehrin üzerinde birbirlerine selam veriyor. Leman’ın açıklamasında karikatürün, İsrail’in Gazze saldırılarını eleştirmek üzere çizildiği, dini figürleri temsil ya da kutsal değerleri aşağılama amacı güdülmediği belirtildi. Açıklamaya rağmen büyümeye devam eden tepkiler bakanların sosyal medya paylaşımlarıyla başladı; şiddet içerikli protestolar, yasal işlem yapılması ve derginin kapatılması tehditleriyle devam etti.

 

Leman, sonraki üç gün boyunca sosyal medyada yoğun bir öfkenin hedefi haline geldi ve X platformunda #LemanDergisiKapatılsın etiketiyle 345 binden fazla paylaşım yapıldı. Cumhurbaşkanı, İçişleri Bakanı, Adalet Bakanı ve İstanbul Valisi gibi üst düzey siyasi isimlerin yanı sıra dini yetkililer de dergiyi alenen kınadı.

 

1 Temmuz’da ise yüzlerce öfkeli protestocu, Leman’ın İstanbul’daki binası önünde toplandı. Binaya saldırıların başlamasının ardından polis plastik mermi ve biber gazıyla müdahale etti. Protestocular, “Peygamberimiz için her şeyi yaparız. Ölürüz, öldürürüz!” sloganları attı.

 

Olayların ardından “halkı kin ve düşmanlığa tahrik” ve “dini değerleri alenen aşağılama” suçlamalarıyla dergi hakkında adli soruşturma başlatıldı. Yazı işleri müdürü Zafer Aknar, grafiker Cebrail Okçu, karikatürist Doğan Pehlevan ve müessese müdürü Ali Yavuz, ters kelepçeyle gözaltına alındı.

 

2 Temmuz’da ise dört çalışan da “halkı kin ve düşmanlığa tahrik” ve “dini değerleri aşağılama” suçlamalarıyla tutuklandı. Doğan Pehlevan ayrıca “cumhurbaşkanına hakaret” ile de suçlandı.

 

Ayrıca, dergi hakkında bir mali soruşturma da başlatıldı. Leman’ın Fransa’da yaşayan sahibi ve bir üst düzey yöneticisi hakkında yakalama kararı çıkarıldı. Karikatür dergisinin yabancı kaynaklardan mali destek alıp almadığının araştırılması, yurt dışından fon alan kuruluşlara yönelik yönelik tartışmalı “etki ajanlığı” yasa tasarısıyla da paralellikler taşıyor.

 

Aynı gün İstanbul Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı Leman’ın 26 Haziran tarihli sayının toplatılmasına karar verdi.  Ayrıca İstanbul 5. Sulh Ceza Hakimliği, derginin internet sitesine Türkiye genelinde erişim engeli getirerek dergiyi sansürlemeye yönelik girişimlere bir yenisini ekledi.

 

Endişe verici bir diğer gelişmeyse, 3 Temmuz’da yayın denetleme kurumu RTÜK’ün, ekonomist Dr. Murat Kubilay’ın karikatürle ilgili yorumları nedeniyle Sözcü TV’ye idari para cezası ve beş programlık yayın durdurma cezası vermesi oldu. RTÜK, “toplumu aydınlanmacılar ve gericiler diye ikiye ayırma” ve “kutuplaşmayı körükleme” gerekçeleriyle bu kararı aldığını açıkladı.

 

Yargının suistimal edildiği bu tür kampanyalar, ağır basın özgürlüğü ihlali sayılır ve Türkiye’deki yetkililerin bağımsız medyayı susturmak amacıyla cezai ve idari hukuku bir silah olarak kullanmaya devam ettiğini gösteriyor.

 

Yaşananlar, Türkiye’de basın özgürlüğünün nasıl gerilediğinin sembolik bir örneği. Yetkililer siyasi soruşturma, mali baskı ve kuruluşları kamuoyu önünde karalayan kampanyalarla eleştirel ve bağımsız sesleri hedef almaya devam ediyor.

 

MFRR paydaşları, tutuklanan tüm Leman çalışanlarının derhal serbest bırakılmasını ve karikatürle ilgili tüm suçlamaların düşürülmesini talep ediyor. Yetkilileri dergiye yönelik siyasi, hukuki ve mali tacizlere son vermeye, gazete ve çalışanlarının güvenliğini sağlama yükümlülüklerini yerine getirmeye davet ediyoruz.

İmzalayanlar:

  • Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI)
  • ARTICLE 19
  • Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF)
  • Avrupa Gazeteciler Federasyonu (EFJ)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)

Bu açıklama, Avrupa Komisyonu tarafından finanse edilen ve AB Üye Devletleri ile aday ülkelerdeki basın ve medya özgürlüğü ihlâllerini belgeleyen Avrupa çapında bir mekanizma olan Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) kapsamında Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI) tarafından hazırlanmıştır.

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Turkey: Press freedom and journalist organisations call for the…

Turkey: Press freedom and journalist organisations call for the release of journalist Fatih Altaylı

The undersigned press freedom, freedom of expression and journalists’ organisations today strongly condemn the arrest of Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı over his political commentary during a YouTube live broadcast and call for his immediate release.

Türkçe açıklama aşağıdadır…

25.06.2025

Fatih Altaylı, a prominent journalist and columnist, was taken into custody and arrested on June 21, 2025, hours after a segment of his YouTube broadcast went viral on social media. In the video, Altaylı offered critical political commentary in response to a poll suggesting that 70 percent of the Turkish public would oppose a proposal to allow the Turkish President to remain in power indefinitely.

 

Following this, some social media accounts began spreading edited clips from his broadcast that mischaracterised his comments as threatening speech. Shortly afterward, Oktay Saral, a senior advisor to the Turkish President, publicly targeted Altaylı on social media, writing that he was “in hot water already”. Within ten hours, Altaylı had been detained.

 

Under Turkish law, if a person is under investigation for a crime that carries a maximum prison sentence of two years or less, they typically cannot be held in pretrial detention. Initially, Altaylı was held on suspicion of making a criminal threat—an offense that is applicable to threats against any individual, and falls into this category. Prosecutors later reinterpreted the case and invoked a provision that increases penalties for offenses in which the president is the victim. This provision, which mandates a minimum five-year sentence, allowed authorities to place Altaylı in pretrial detention. However, legal experts argue that this provision applies only to direct physical acts—not verbal statements made through the press—and warn that its use in this case exceeds its intended legal scope.

 

The Istanbul 10th Criminal Court of Peace approved the prosecutor’s request to jail Altaylı pending trial, citing the “severity of the offense” and a purported “risk of flight”.

 

Following his arrest, Turkey’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) issued a warning on June 23 announcing that Altaylı’s YouTube channel must apply for an internet broadcasting license within 72 hours, submit the required documents, and pay a three-month licensing fee in advance, or be closed down.

 

The undersigned organisations regard this arrest as a clear abuse of criminal law to silence critical political commentary. The decision to interpret Altaylı’s remarks as incitement to assassination is a dangerous expansion of criminal liability, one that threatens to further erode freedom of expression in Türkiye.

 

We jointly call for the immediate release of Fatih Altaylı and urge Turkish authorities to cease exploiting vague legal provisions to persecute journalists. A free press must include the right to freedom of expression and critique political leaders without fear of reprisal.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • Foreign Media Association (FMA Turkey)
  • Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
  • Progressive Journalists Association (PJA)
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
  • South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

Türkiye: Basın ve ifade özgürlüğü ile basın meslek kuruluşları gazeteci Fatih Altaylı’nın serbest bırakılmasını talep ediyor

 

Aşağıda imzası bulunan basın özgürlüğü, ifade hürriyeti ve basın meslek kuruluşları olarak gazeteci Fatih Altaylı’nın YouTube’daki canlı yayınında yaptığı siyasi yorumları nedeniyle tutuklanmasını şiddetle kınıyor, derhal serbest bırakılmasını talep ediyoruz.

 

Gazeteci ve köşe yazarı Fatih Altaylı, sosyal medyada çokça paylaşılan YouTube yayınından birkaç saat sonra 21 Haziran’da önce gözaltına alındı, sonra da tutuklandı. Söz konusu videoda Altaylı, Türkiye halkının yüzde 70’inin devlet başkanlarının süresiz görevde kalmasına karşı olduğunu gösteren bir anketi değerlendiriyordu.

 

Yayının ardından bazı sosyal medya hesapları, Altaylı’nın sözlerini bağlamından koparıp tehdit içerikliymiş gibi yansıtan video kesitlerini yaymaya başladı. Kısa süre içinde Cumhurbaşkanı Başdanışmanı Oktay Saral da sosyal medya hesabından videoyu paylaşıp, “Altaylıııı! Suyun ısınmaya başladı” ifadelerini kullandı. Saral’ın paylaşımından yaklaşık 10 saat sonra Altaylı gözaltına alındı.

 

Türkiye’deki yasalar, azami cezası iki yıl olan suçlarla ilgili soruşturmalarda şüphelilerin tutuklu yargılanamayacağını belirtiyor. Altaylı da ilk olarak bu kapsamda değerlendirilmesi gereken tehdit suçu şüphesiyle gözaltına alınmıştı. Ancak savcılık daha sonra dosyayı yeniden değerlendirerek mağdurun Cumhurbaşkanı olması durumunda cezayı artıran maddeyi devreye soktu. En az beş yıl hapis cezası talep edilebilmesinin önünü açan bu madde uyarınca Altaylı’nın tutuklu yargılanmasının yolu açıldı. Ancak hukukçular, bu maddenin sadece fiziki müdahaleler için geçerli olduğunu, basın yoluyla yapılan sözlü açıklamalara uygulanamayacağını belirterek yasanın kapsamının aşıldığını ifade ediyor.

 

İstanbul 10. Sulh Ceza Hakimliği, savcılığın tutuklama talebini “suçun vasıf ve mahiyeti” ve “kaçma ihtimalinin yüksek olduğu” gerekçesiyle kabul etti.

 

Altaylı’nın tutuklanmasının ardından 23 Haziran’da Radyo ve Televizyon Üst Kurulu (RTÜK) ise gazetecinin YouTube kanalı için 72 saat içinde internet yayın lisansına başvuruda bulunması, gerekli belgeleri sunması ve üç aylık lisans ücretini peşin ödemesi gerektiğini, aksi takdirde kanalın kapatılacağını duyurdu.

 

Aşağıda imzası bulunan kuruluşlar olarak bu tutuklamayı, cezai yasaların açıkça suistimal edilmesi sonucu siyasi eleştirinin bastırılması olarak değerlendiriyoruz. Altaylı’nın sözlerinin suikast suçu kapsamında yorumlanması cezai sorumluluğu tehlikeli biçimde genişletmekte ve Türkiye’de ifade özgürlüğünü daha da zayıflatmaktadır.

 

Fatih Altaylı’nın derhal serbest bırakılmasını ve yetkililerin gazetecileri cezalandırmak için muğlak yasal düzenlemelere başvurmaktan vazgeçmesini talep ediyoruz. Özgür basın, misilleme korkusu yaşamadan siyasi liderleri eleştirme ve fikirlerini ifade edebilme hakkına sahip olmalıdır.

İmzalayanlar:

  • Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI)
  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF)
  • Avrupa Gazeteciler Federasyonu (EFJ)
  • Çağdaş Gazeteciler Derneği (ÇGD)
  • Gazetecileri Koruma Komitesi (CPJ)
  • Güney Doğu Avrupa Medya Örgütü (SEEMO)
  • Medya ve Hukuk Çalışmaları Derneği (MLSA)
  • Sınır Tanımayan Gazeteciler (RSF)
  • Yabancı Medya Derneği (FMA)

Bu açıklama, AB üye ülkeleri ve aday ülkelerde basın ve medya özgürlüğünün ihlallerini takip eden, izleyen ve bunlara müdahale eden Avrupa çapında bir mekanizma olan Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) tarafından koordine edildi.

Library

Turkey’s Intensifying Media Crackdown Threatens Press Freedom

Turkey’s Intensifying Media Crackdown Threatens Press Freedom

On World Press Freedom Day, the International Press Institute (IPI), European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urge Turkish authorities to cease all attacks against journalists and protect press freedom amid a severe media crackdown.

03 May 2025

Following a press freedom mission to Turkey in November 2024, there has been a sharp increase in journalist detentions, arrests, and police violence, particularly since the arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19, 2025.

Rising incidents against journalists since “agent of influence” bill discussions

Today, Turkey is witnessing its most severe crackdown on independent journalism since the failed coup of 2016. As media sought to report the fall-out following the formal charging of İmamoğlu, a systematic pattern of press freedom violations has emerged:

  • At least 12 journalists have been physically attacked by police forces while covering protests
  • More than 13 journalists have been arrested and face various charges
  • BBC News correspondent Mark Lowen was detained and subsequently deported
  • Over 700 social media accounts, including those of journalists and news organizations, were blocked
  • Multiple TV channels received severe penalties from broadcast regulator RTÜK, including broadcast suspensions and fines

These developments reveal a systematic pattern of press censorship and intimidation. The authorities have implemented a comprehensive strategy to restrict the information flow through physical force, legal action, and digital restrictions.

We urge Turkish authorities to cease journalist harassment, investigate police violence, lift media platform restrictions, and respect press freedom standards.

These alarming developments confirm concerns raised during a joint international press freedom mission to Turkey in November 2024.

Joint press freedom mission examines judicial harassment and legislation

A joint mission by leading press freedom organizations – International Press Institute (IPI), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) – conducted a thorough assessment of Turkey’s press freedom situation in November 2024.

The mission paid particular attention to the controversial “agent of influence” bill, which would allow courts to increase prison sentences by 3-7 years for individuals deemed to have acted “against state interests” while “aligned with foreign organizations. The bill is an amendment to the espionage act and, with its vague terms, could effectively enable the courts to treat any journalist with international connections as a spy..

While acknowledging some positive Constitutional Court rulings, the mission highlighted severe ongoing challenges including persistent judicial harassment of journalists, ongoing violence against media workers, extensive online censorship, and discriminatory regulatory practices by the broadcast regulator RTÜK. The proposed “agent of influence” bill poses additional threats to journalists working with international organizations.

On World Press Freedom Day, we call on authorities to permanently withdraw the “agent of influence” bill, end judicial harassment and police violence against journalists, and reform RTÜK to ensure its political independence and protect broadcast journalism.

Download the Mission Report in English
Raporu Türkçe İndirin

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

This statement was coordinated by IPI as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

Journalist Joakim Medin Photo Credit: Daniel-Wiklander, Scoop Library

Turkey: Swedish journalist Joakim Medin to face terrorism and…

Turkey: Swedish journalist Joakim Medin to face terrorism and insult charges as pre-trial detention continues

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemned the decision to charge Joakim Medin with terrorism related actions in addition to the insult charges that were used to justify his initial arrest.

29.04.2025

Medin, whose first court hearing has been scheduled for April 30, now faces up to twelve years imprisonment if convicted of both indictments.

 

Since 19 March, over 13 journalists have been arrested and charged with different offences, with at least 12 journalists subjected to police violence. The situation has taken an unprecedented turn with Medin’s detention—marking a rare case where a foreign journalist has faced such charges. His treatment, mirroring that of Turkish journalists, signals a dangerous escalation in the government’s crackdown and serves as a clear warning to international media covering the country’s political unrest.

 

Medin, a regular contributor to the Swedish daily newspaper Dagens ETC and member of the Swedish Union of Journalists (SJF), was initially detained at Istanbul Airport on 27 March 2025, while travelling to cover protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. He was subsequently transferred to Silivri Prison.

 

The reason for his initial detention stemmed from a 2023 investigation by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding Medin’s alleged participation in a Stockholm protest where a puppet of President Erdoğan was hung by its feet. The allegations of Medin’s involvement were promptly denied by the protest organisers.

 

This incident is the basis for the charges of insulting the President that will be considered at his first hearing on 30 April at the 79th Criminal Court of First Instance in Ankara. The terrorism-related charges have been submitted to the Ankara 17th High Criminal Court, with the trial date still pending.

 

While the authorities stated that the detention is unrelated to his journalistic activities, the evidence cited against Medin consists primarily of his journalistic work, including social media posts, published articles, and books. His legal representative, MLSA co-director Veysel Ok, has emphasised that there is no concrete evidence beyond legitimate journalistic activities.

 

This case represents a further deterioration of press freedom in Turkey, where the authorities have intensified their crackdown on journalists. The broadcast regulator RTÜK has also imposed severe restrictions on media outlets, including broadcasting bans and threats to withdraw licenses.

 

The MFRR partners call for the immediate release of Joakim Medin and the dropping of charges against all of the journalists. We urge Turkish authorities to cease the criminalisation of journalism under anti-terrorism laws and demand an end to the ongoing crackdown on press freedom and the harassment of journalists. Furthermore, we call on the international community to pressure Turkish authorities to end their systematic suppression of press freedom.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

Event

Reporting on protests amid repression in Turkey, Serbia, and…

Reporting on protests amid repression in Turkey, Serbia, and Georgia

30 April, 12:00 CET

As authoritarianism rises and democratic institutions weaken across parts of Europe, journalists on the frontlines of protest coverage are increasingly under attack. In Turkey, Serbia, and Georgia, reporters face escalating threats — from police violence and arbitrary detention to online censorship, legal harassment, and coordinated smear campaigns. These tactics not only silence critical voices but also undermine the public’s right to information.

To mark World Press Freedom Day 2025, this webinar will examine the hostile environment facing independent media in these three countries.

Through firsthand accounts and expert insights, the panel will explore:

  • The risks journalists face while covering protests and state abuses

  • Legal and regulatory tools used to restrict independent reporting

  • Digital repression and attacks on press freedom online

  • Strategies for resistance and the role of international actors in promoting accountability

 

This conversation will also consider how the EU, human rights organisations, and civil society can respond to growing repression and support a freer media environment.

Register here

Moderator

Oliver Money-Kyrle

Head of Europe Advocacy and Programmes at International Press Institute (IPI)

Speakers

Moreta Bobokhidze

Eurasia Department Programme Officer, Civil Rights Defenders

Özgür Öğret

Turkey Representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Uroš Jovanovic

Manager of the Public Policy Program at Civic Initiatives

Journalist Joakim Medin Photo Credit: Daniel-Wiklander, Scoop Allgemein

Turkey: Detained Swedish journalist Joakim Medin must be released…

Turkey: Detained Swedish journalist Joakim Medin must be released immediately

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemn the arrest of Swedish journalist Joakim Medin on terrorism charges in Turkey and call for his immediate release. This is the latest incident amidst the ongoing crackdown on press freedom in which dozens of journalists have been arrested and beaten.

03.04.2025

Türkçe açıklama aşağıdadır.

On 27 March 2025, Joakim Medin, a regular contributor to the Swedish daily newspaper Dagens ETC and member of the Swedish Union of Journalists (SJF), was travelling to cover the widespread protests against the recent arrest of Istanbul Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu. Medin was detained by police shortly after landing in Istanbul.

On 30 March, the Turkish authorities confirmed in a statement that he had been charged with being a “member of an armed terrorist organisation” and “insulting the President”, stating that “the detention order is unrelated to his journalistic activities”.

The charges stem from an investigation launched in 2023 by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Terrorism Crimes Investigation Bureau related to what they claimed was Medin’s participation in a protest in Stockholm, in which a puppet of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was hung by its feet. His participation was promptly denied by the organisers of the protest.

According to the Swedish Union of Journalists (SJF), Medin has been transferred to Marmara Prison in Silivri, a high-security prison where political prisoners are being detained.

The arrest is the latest case in a rapidly worsening crackdown on press freedom in the wake of nationwide protests. Since the arrest of  Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on 19 March, the MFRR has documented over 13 journalists arrested, of whom at least seven have been charged with violating the law on meetings and demonstrations. At least 12 journalists have been victims of police violence. Moreover, the broadcast regulator has issued numerous fines against broadcasters, including one temporary broadcasting ban and threatened to withdraw licences from media that do not rely solely on official sources.

The MFRR strongly condemns the unjustified arrest of Medin, calls for his immediate release, and for the charges against him and all other journalists to be dropped. We further call on the Turkish authorities to allow all foreign journalists, including foreign correspondents, to work freely and document ongoing events in Turkey in the name of the right to freedom of information.

The MFRR will continue to monitor Medin’s situation closely and continue to advocate for all journalists detained as a result of the crackdown on the press.

Signed by:

  • The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

Türkiye: Tutuklanan İsveçli Gazeteci Joakim Medin Derhal Serbest Bırakılmalıdır

Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) ortakları, İsveçli gazeteci Joakim Medin’in Türkiye’de terör suçlamalarıyla tutuklanmasını en güçlü şekilde kınamakta ve derhal serbest bırakılmasını talep etmektedir. Bu olay, onlarca gazetecinin tutuklandığı ve darp edildiği medya özgürlüğüne yönelik devam eden baskının son örneğidir.

27 Mart 2025 tarihinde, İsveç’te faaliyet gösteren günlük gazete Dagens ETC’nin düzenli yazarlarından ve İsveç Gazeteciler Sendikası (SJF) üyesi olan Joakim Medin, İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanı ve cumhurbaşkanı adayı Ekrem İmamoğlu’nun yakın zamanda tutuklanmasına karşı düzenlenen kitlesel eylemleri takip etmek için seyahat ediyordu. Medin, İstanbul’a iniş yaptıktan kısa bir süre sonra polis tarafından gözaltına alındı.

30 Mart’ta, yetkililer bir açıklama yaparak Medin’in “silahlı terör örgütü üyeliği” ve “Cumhurbaşkanı’na hakaret” suçlamalarıyla tutuklandığını doğruladı ve “tutuklama kararının gazetecilik faaliyetleriyle ilgili olmadığını” iddia etti.

Suçlamalar, Ankara Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı Terör Suçları Soruşturma Bürosu tarafından 2023 yılında başlatılan ve Medin’in Stockholm’de düzenlenen bir protestoya katıldığı iddiasına dayanan bir soruşturma kapsamında yöneltildi. Söz konusu protestoda, Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’ın bir kuklası ayaklarından asılmıştı. Ancak protestoyu düzenleyenler, Medin’in bu eyleme katıldığı iddiasını derhal yalanladı.

İsveç Gazeteciler Sendikası’na (SJF) göre Medin, siyasi mahkumların tutulduğu yüksek güvenlikli Silivri’de bulunan Marmara Cezaevi’ne nakledildi.

Bu tutuklama, ülke genelindeki protestoların ardından medya özgürlüğüne yönelik hızla kötüleşen baskının en güncel örneklerinden biridir. İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanı Ekrem İmamoğlu’nun 19 Mart’ta tutuklanmasından bu yana MFRR, en az 13 gazetecinin gözaltına alındığını belgelemiştir; bunlardan en az yedisi, toplantı ve gösteri yürüyüşleri yasasını ihlal etmekle suçlanmaktadır. En az 12 gazeteci polis şiddetine maruz kalmıştır. Ayrıca, Radyo ve Televizyon Üst Kurulu (RTÜK), çeşitli yayın kuruluşlarına çok sayıda para cezası vermiş, bir kanala geçici yayın yasağı getirmiş ve yalnızca resmi kaynaklara dayanmayan medya kuruluşlarının lisanslarını iptal etmekle tehdit etmiştir.

MFRR, Medin’in haksız yere tutuklanmasını en güçlü şekilde kınamakta, derhal serbest bırakılmasını ve ona yöneltilen suçlamalar ile tüm diğer gazetecilere yönelik suçlamaların düşürülmesini talep etmektedir. Ayrıca, yetkililere, yabancı muhabirler de dahil olmak üzere tüm yabancı gazetecilerin serbestçe çalışmasına ve Türkiye’deki gelişmeleri ifade hürriyeti kapsamında belgelemelerine izin verme çağrısında bulunuyoruz.

MFRR, Medin’in durumunu yakından izlemeye devam edecek ve basına yönelik baskılar sonucunda tutuklanan tüm gazeteciler için savunuculuk çalışmalarını sürdürecektir.

İmzalayanlar:

  • Avrupa Gazeteciler Federasyonu (EFJ)
  • Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF)
  • Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

Allgemein

Turkey: MFRR partners call for an end to crackdown…

Turkey: MFRR partners call for an end to crackdown on journalists covering political protests

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partner organisations call for an immediate end to the crackdown against media after documenting widespread attacks, detentions, and censorship measures against journalists following the formal charging of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu with corruption on March 23, 2025.

28 March 2025

Mapping Media Freedom registered that the police violence has been targeted against at least 12 journalists. Most concerning was the brutal attack on journalist Tansel Can by seven police officers, which led to his hospitalization. Anadolu Agency reporter Hakan Akgün suffered a broken nose, while Reuters correspondent Dilara Şenkaya sustained forehead injuries from police violence.

 

The situation worsened on March 24 with detentions and home raids, during which police detained at least 11 journalists for covering the protests in Istanbul. The following day seven of them were charged with “violating the law on meetings and demonstrations.” All but one of the detainees were released on March 27 awaiting trial.  

 

On March 26, BBC News correspondent Mark Lowen was taken from his hotel and detained for 17 hours before being forcibly deported, as “a threat to public order.”

 

On March 27, Evrensel correspondent Nisa Sude Demirel and ETHA News Agency correspondent Elif Bayburt were detained during an early morning police raid.

 

The broadcast regulator RTÜK quickly imposed maximum financial penalties on several TV channels on March 21, and threatened to revoke broadcast licenses from media outlets that do not rely solely on official statements. Following this warning, pro-government channels ceased their live coverage of the protests. 

 

On March 27, RTÜK issued a 10-day broadcast suspension for SZC TV, along with programme restrictions and financial penalties for three other TV channels. RTÜK also threatened to block two YouTube channels—including one owned by journalist Fatih Altaylı—unless they obtained broadcasting licenses within 72 hours.

 

Turkey’s authorities have also implemented sweeping censorship measures, blocking over 700 social media accounts including several journalists and media outlets. For three days, following İmamoğlu’s initial arrest on March 19, the authorities had imposed severe bandwidth restrictions on social media including X, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, Telegram, and Signal, in what appeared to be part of a premeditated plan to restrict public access to information.

 

The government is using multiple powers to stop independent media coverage of the growing political crisis. It is at these moments that journalism that serves the public and not the powerful, is at its most important and must be vigorously defended.  

 

The MFRR consortium calls on Turkey’s authorities to immediately release all journalists, launch an independent investigation into police violence, lift all censorship measures, and ensure journalists can freely report without fear of reprisal.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.