freedom of press

Page 2

4 journalists detained in Van

4 journalists detained in Van

Police raided the office of Mezopotamya Agency (MA) in Turkey’s eastern province of Van, taking four journalists into custody.

55 journalists stood trial in September

55 journalists stood trial in September

Main opposition CHP former MP Barış Yarkadaş, also a journalist himself, has released his report on “Violations of Rights in Turkey’s Media” for September 2020.

Journalists Müyesser Yıldız, İsmail Dükel face up to 10 years in prison

Journalists Müyesser Yıldız, İsmail Dükel face up to 10 years in prison

Arrested journalist Yıldız and TELE 1 Ankara Representative Dükel have been indicted. Together with arrested Sergeant Baran, they are charged with “disclosing information that needs to remain confidential for the security or benefit of the state.”

24 September 2020

Özgür Gündem trial: Prison sentences of 7 journalists upheld

Özgür Gündem trial: Prison sentences of 7 journalists upheld

The court of appeals has upheld the prison sentences of Ertuğrul Mavioğlu, Fehim Işık, Celal Başlangıç, İhsan Çaralan, Öncü Akgül ve Celalettin Can and Hüseyin Aykol who joined the Editors-in-Chief on Watch campaign in solidarity with Özgür Gündem.

23 September 2020

Second ruling of right violation for the access block to sendika.org news website

Second ruling of right violation for the access block to sendika.org news website

Combining 17 individual applications about the issue, the Constitutional Court has once again concluded that 62 access blocks imposed on sendika.org news website and successive websites have violated freedom of expression and press.

15 September 2020

‘If there is an independent judiciary in Turkey, why are we behind bars?’

JOURNALIST MÜYESSER YILDIZ

‘If there is an independent judiciary in Turkey, why are we behind bars?’

Main opposition CHP MP Çakırözer, also a former journalist himself, visited Odatv Ankara Representative Müyesser Yıldız in Sincan Prison in Ankara. He has addressed the reporters following his meeting with Yıldız.

7 September 2020

‘While justice was "on vacation”, violence took center stage’

PRESS IN ARREST REPORT

‘While justice was "on vacation”, violence took center stage’

From the report of Press in Arrest: “Trials were suspended in August due to the judiciary recess; however, attempts to bring journalists into line continued under violent forms. At least 15 journalists were subjected to psychological and physical violence.”

7 September 2020

‘There cannot be democracy without press freedom’

5-DAY BLACKOUT ON TELE 1

‘There cannot be democracy without press freedom’

Journalism organizations denounce the five-day blackout imposed on TELE 1: “In our eyes, RTÜK is a political structure that has cut its ties with the institutionalization of a democratic society. There is no other solution than advising our colleagues to be careful.”

3 September 2020 Hikmet Adal

Erdoğan says ‘Turkey makes progress in freedom of expression,’ but how true is it?

Erdoğan says ‘Turkey makes progress in freedom of expression,’ but how true is it?

In the legal year opening ceremony, President Erdoğan said, “We have ensured that the right to criticize and give news is based on a stronger ground in the legislation.” But what do BİA Media Monitoring Reports tell us about these remarks?

2 September 2020

Press freedom in Turkey: ‘Journalists could not breathe in August, either’

Press freedom in Turkey: ‘Journalists could not breathe in August, either’

Main opposition CHP former MP Barış Yarkadaş has released his “Violations of Rights in the Media Report” for August. The report shows that two journalists were arrested, two journalists were detained and four journalists stood trial last month.

1 September 2020

‘8 journalists were sentenced to prison in the first 7 months of 2020’

PRESS IN ARREST REPORT

‘8 journalists were sentenced to prison in the first 7 months of 2020’

According to the “7-Month Press Freedom Report” prepared by the Press in Arrest, there are at least 65 journalists behind bars in Turkey as convicts or arrestees. At least 251 journalists also stand trial in or outside prison, or in absentia.

Violations of rights in Turkey's media: Two journalists stood trial a day in July

Violations of rights in Turkey's media: Two journalists stood trial a day in July

Main opposition CHP former MP Yarkadaş has released his “Violations of Rights in the Media Report” for July. Referring to Sacrifice Feast, he has said, “This feast is a bit bittersweet for journalists because dozens of their colleagues are in prison.”

Friends of jailed journalist Barış Pehlivan celebrate his birthday

Friends of jailed journalist Barış Pehlivan celebrate his birthday

His friends have come together at "Freedom Park" to mark the 37th birthday of Odatv Editor-in-Chief Barış Pehlivan, who has been arrested for 126 days over a news report about the death of an intelligence officer in Libya.

3 journalists arrested, 10 journalists released in Turkey in June

PRESS IN ARREST REPORT

3 journalists arrested, 10 journalists released in Turkey in June

According to June 2020 Press Freedom Report of the Press in Arrest, at least 61 journalists have been summoned to depose, taken into custody or faced a criminal complaint since March 17. Lawsuits have been brought against 18 journalists.

Multiple Channels, Single Voice

PENNED BY SERCAN ENGEREK

Multiple Channels, Single Voice

Press is the life savior for democracy, but - in the most innocent terms possible - some need to reconsider the notion of democracy independently from the positions they hold.

6 June 2020 Sercan Engerek

Court Accepts Indictment Against Journalists over News on Intelligence Officer

Court Accepts Indictment Against Journalists over News on Intelligence Officer

The indictment issued against journalists for reporting on the funeral of an intelligence officer killed in Libya demands penalization as per the Article 329/1 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and Article 27 of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) law.

Court Ruled for Continuation of Journalists’ Arrest in the Absence of Their Attorneys

Court Ruled for Continuation of Journalists’ Arrest in the Absence of Their Attorneys

In examining the objections of six journalists behind bars due to their news on the funeral of an intelligence officer, the court apparently did not inform their attorneys, summoned other lawyers from the bar and ruled for the continuation of their pre-trial detention.

Press In Arrest: 23 Journalists Faced up to 408 Years in Prison in April

Press In Arrest: 23 Journalists Faced up to 408 Years in Prison in April

From the report of Press in Arrest: “In April, numerous news stories were associated with ‘terrorism’. Reporters were obliged to testify and defend against charges of 'terrorism'. Journalists were kept in prison without indictment, thus being sentenced in advance.”

Cumhuriyet Journalists Summoned to Depose

Cumhuriyet Journalists Summoned to Depose

Facing a terror investigation due to the news regarding the house of Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, journalists Hazal Ocak, Vedat Arık, Olcay Büyüktaş and İpek Özbey from daily Cumhuriyet have been summoned to depose.

Access Block on Independent Turkish

Access Block on Independent Turkish

An access block has been imposed on the Independent Turkish news website as per the administrative measure implemented by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK).

Press Cards of Daily Evrensel Workers Revoked

Press Cards of Daily Evrensel Workers Revoked

While they were waiting for their press cards to be renewed, workers of daily Evrensel have learned that their cards have been revoked. The Commission on Press Cards has recently been affiliated with the Presidency Directorate of Communications.

24 January 2020

RSF, 13 Journalists File a Criminal Complaint About Police Violence in France

RSF, 13 Journalists File a Criminal Complaint About Police Violence in France

Reporters Without Borders and 13 journalists have filed a criminal complaint about the police violence against journalists covering “yellow vests” protests in France. Anadolu Agency reporter Mustafa Yalçın was also injured during the protests.

24 December 2019

Journalists Sadiye Eser and Sadık Topaloğlu Arrested

Journalists Sadiye Eser and Sadık Topaloğlu Arrested

Sadiye Eser and Sadık Topaloğlu, reporters for the Mezopotamya Agency, have been arrested on charge of “being members of a terrorist organization” based on the statements of an anonymous witness.

4 December 2019

‘Emotional Impact’ Ruling by Constitutional Court: Press Freedom of Yeni Akit Violated

‘Emotional Impact’ Ruling by Constitutional Court: Press Freedom of Yeni Akit Violated

The Constitutional Court has concluded that the freedom of expression and press of pro-government daily Yeni Akit has been violated: “Freedom of expression needs to be considered independently of the emotional impact created by the expression.”

19 November 2019 Ayça Söylemez

Report by International Press Organizations on Status of Press Freedom in Turkey

Report by International Press Organizations on Status of Press Freedom in Turkey

Eight international press freedom and journalism organizations have released a report on the status of press freedom in Turkey. The report has put forward nine main findings and offered 11 recommendations on freedom of press in the country.

19 November 2019

Journalist Fatih Polat Acquitted of ‘Insulting President’

Journalist Fatih Polat Acquitted of ‘Insulting President’

Charged with “insulting the president” due to his article on Malta Files, Editor-in-Chief of daily Evrensel Fatih Polat has been acquitted.

14 November 2019

Verdict of Release for Journalist Kibriye Evren

Verdict of Release for Journalist Kibriye Evren

Facing up to 20 years in prison due to her journalistic activities and social media posts, JinNews reporter Kibriye Evren has been released in her eighth hearing. The court has imposed judicial control measures and international travel ban on Evren.

12 November 2019

‘Exaggerated and Provocative Statements Fall Within Freedom of Expression’

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

‘Exaggerated and Provocative Statements Fall Within Freedom of Expression’

Announcing its ruling on a libel suit filed by one journalist against another, the Constitutional Court has concluded that “freedom of expression should be interpreted so broadly to allow exaggeration and even provocation to a degree.”

12 November 2019 Ayça Söylemez

Released Journalist Hüseyin Aykol Talks About His Prison Days

Released Journalist Hüseyin Aykol Talks About His Prison Days

Released from prison after the Judicial Reform Package has entered into effect, journalist Hüseyin Aykol has said, “They have temporarily released us as a gesture to Europe.”

29 October 2019

Journalists Meltem Oktay and Uğur Akgül Released

Journalists Meltem Oktay and Uğur Akgül Released

Meltem Oktay and Uğur Akgül, reporters for the closed Dicle News Agency (DİHA), have been released. Oktay and Akgül were behind bars on charge of “being members of a terrorist organization” due to their news in the period of curfews.

25 October 2019

Journalist Emre Orman Arrested

Journalist Emre Orman Arrested

Taken into custody yesterday due to his social media messages, journalist Emre Orman has been arrested on charge of “propagandizing for a terrorist organization”.

24 October 2019

Journalist Emre Orman Detained

Journalist Emre Orman Detained

Journalist Emre Orman has been taken into custody due to his social media messages. Orman will be held in İstanbul Security Directorate today and will be referred to court tomorrow.

23 October 2019

1
2
3
4
5