Bianet - English

Turkey ranked second in EU pesticide alerts in 2025

Turkey ranked second in EU pesticide alerts in 2025

India topped the list with 124 pesticide notifications, followed by Turkey with 105, according to European Commission data.

Today 15:24

Social media platforms turn to censorship to protect commercial interests

Social media platforms turn to censorship to protect commercial interests

A new report by the Freedom of Expression Association scrutinizes how social media platforms have become an "apparatus of online censorship."

'Everyone looks at us from the outside, they should see from the inside too'

CILDREN PUSHED INTO CRIME SPEAK OUT

'Everyone looks at us from the outside, they should see from the inside too'

Murat, who spent his childhood in prison, spoke about what it means to be “pushed into crime,” the lack of preventive and protective mechanisms, and how child-centered support changed his life.

Today 11:30 Nalin Öztekin

Trans rights workshop in Ankara highlights systemic violations

Trans rights workshop in Ankara highlights systemic violations

The workshop revealed growing state-backed restrictions and systemic discrimination against trans people in Turkey, while emphasizing the need for stronger solidarity and legal protections.

No national rollout yet for HPV vaccine despite government pledge

No national rollout yet for HPV vaccine despite government pledge

There are no HPV vaccination plans for 2026, and the application pages on municipal websites, which had stepped in to fill the gap left by the state in recent years, have also been shut down.

12 January 2026 Elanur Birinci

The future of journalism is in danger under government pressure!

BİA MEDIA MONITORING OCTOBER-NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2025

The future of journalism is in danger under government pressure!

Between October and December 2025, journalism in Turkey came under intense pressure through arbitrary detentions, heavy prison sentences, RTÜK sanctions, access bans, and trustee appointments. Widespread impunity and economic insecurity further deepened the crisis.

12 January 2026 Erol Önderoğlu

Tuğçe Yılmaz

AKP’s Mehmet Metiner rejects war rhetoric, says ‘neither Kurds nor Syria should lose’

AKP’s Mehmet Metiner rejects war rhetoric, says ‘neither Kurds nor Syria should lose’

Metiner, a former lawmaker and an influential figure in ruling party circles, argues that the recent clashes in Aleppo aim to sabotage the process in Turkey and called on all parties to "avoid using antagonistic language."

9 January 2026 Tuğçe Yılmaz

Court acquits İstanbul Bar board in trial over statement on killed Kurdish journalists

Court acquits İstanbul Bar board in trial over statement on killed Kurdish journalists

Eleven individuals stood trial for condemning an airstrike that killed two journalists in Syria in Dec 2024.

Dozens detained in İstanbul protest against Aleppo clashes

Dozens detained in İstanbul protest against Aleppo clashes

"These attacks on Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh are a continuation of previous attacks on Druze in Suwayda and Alawite settlements. These attacks are the product of a dark mindset targeting Syria’s multi-identity and multi-faith social fabric, aiming to make peoples enemies of one another," the protesters said in a statement.

9 January 2026 Evrim Kepenek

news

Two pro-Kurdish news agencies' X accounts banned in Turkey

Two pro-Kurdish news agencies' X accounts banned in Turkey

Authorities cited the protection of national security as the reason for the censorship.

DEM deputies protest attacks on Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo

DEM deputies protest attacks on Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo

Protests were held at Parliament and several Kurdish cities as clahes continue in Syria.

Turkey signals military support to Syria against Kurdish forces amid Aleppo clashes

Turkey signals military support to Syria against Kurdish forces amid Aleppo clashes

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced as the clashes continue on the third day.

Soil Atlas 2025: ‘Without protecting soil, we cannot safeguard water, food, or justice’

Soil Atlas 2025: ‘Without protecting soil, we cannot safeguard water, food, or justice’

At the launch of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung’s updated Soil Atlas 2025, experts highlighted growing soil degradation, rapid urbanization, and the uncertain future of agriculture in Turkey, calling for urgent action to protect the country’s most vital resource.

8 January 2026 Cemre Nayir

Journalist Perihan Kaya receives prison sentence for 'terrorist propaganda'

Journalist Perihan Kaya receives prison sentence for 'terrorist propaganda'

Kaya, who resides abroad, was put on trial due to her social media messages.

Ayşegül Başar

‘Wells of isolation’: Prisoners allege severe abuse in 'maximum-security' prisons

‘Wells of isolation’: Prisoners allege severe abuse in 'maximum-security' prisons

High-security prisons introduced in recent years in Turkey fail to meet Mandela Rules on prisoners’ right to sunlight and fresh air, according to human rights advocates.

7 January 2026 Ayşegül Başar

Men killed 28 women in December

MALE VIOLENCE MONITORING REPORT

Men killed 28 women in December

Men injured at least 51 women and abused 59 girls and boys in December.

7 January 2026 Evrim Kepenek

Demirtaş sentenced to prison for ‘insulting the president’

Demirtaş sentenced to prison for ‘insulting the president’

The pro-Kurdish DEM Party has condemned the verdict, asserting that such rulings "create serious obstacles" to the peace process.

Epiphany marked with cross retrieval ceremony in İstanbul's Golden Horn

Epiphany marked with cross retrieval ceremony in İstanbul's Golden Horn

The ceremony, held to mark the anniversary of the birth and baptism of Jesus Christ according to the Christian faith, drew public interest.

Dozens detained in money laundering probe centered on İstanbul’s Grand Bazaar

Dozens detained in money laundering probe centered on İstanbul’s Grand Bazaar

"Ongoing investigations have revealed that money obtained through Forex fraud, cyber scams, and illegal online betting sites was funneled into the legal banking system via shell companies and personal bank accounts," prosecutors said.

Minister: Turkey to restrict social media access for children under 15

Minister: Turkey to restrict social media access for children under 15

“We must not allow social media platforms to treat our children as commercial commodities,” said the family and social services minister.

Ankara investigates alleged beating to death of stray dog by municipal employees

Ankara investigates alleged beating to death of stray dog by municipal employees

A dog taken care of locals were allegedly beaten to death by municipal employees at a metro station.

children's library

IPS Communication Foundation/bianet continues its rights-based journalism with the "BİA Children's Library" with the aim of giving more space to and disseminating the voices of children and youth.

about bianet

The IPS Communication Foundation was established in 1993 with the goal of "implementing and supporting projects in the field of communication and development." The foundation carries out its activities through projects funded by local and international grants and donations.