reports in MEDIA category

TV pundit Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı detained in illegal betting investigation

TV pundit Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı detained in illegal betting investigation

More than 200 people have been detained as an investigation determined that over 2 billion dollars were laundered within the financial system.

Journalist Reyhan Hacıoğlu sentenced to over four years in prison in 'terror' case

Journalist Reyhan Hacıoğlu sentenced to over four years in prison in 'terror' case

Hacıoğlu spent five months in pretrial detention last year. "I stand behind every report I made and every word I said. You cannot cover up the truth with the sentences handed down," she said after the ruling.

Journalist İsmail Arı faces six years prison for 'spreading disinformation'

Journalist İsmail Arı faces six years prison for 'spreading disinformation'

Among the reports cited in the accusations is Arı’s coverage of Erdoğan family members serving on the boards of several foundations.

13 May 2026 Hikmet Adal

Comedian faces three-year prison sentence over Sultan Suleiman joke

Comedian faces three-year prison sentence over Sultan Suleiman joke

Tuba Ulu is on trial over her joke that "even Sultan Suleiman married his fuck buddy."

Trial begins for murder of journalist Hakan Tosun

Trial begins for murder of journalist Hakan Tosun

The two defendants denied the charges, contradicting camera footage and witness testimonies that showed an unprovoked assault.

11 May 2026 Evrim Kepenek

BirGün reporter's father suspended from public service after targeted campaign by pro-gov't media

BirGün reporter's father suspended from public service after targeted campaign by pro-gov't media

Sarya Toprak's reporting on the Gülistan Doku murder case was met with a smear campaign against her family.

Journalism rights thrive on reader support!

Journalism rights thrive on reader support!

The BİA Media Monitoring Report shows that in the first three months of 2026, journalists in Turkey were besieged by arrests, detentions, attacks, censorship, compensation lawsuits, RTÜK fines, and layoffs. Journalism enters May 3 World Press Freedom Day under the pressure of uniformity.

5 May 2026 Erol Önderoğlu

Turkey falls to 163rd in RSF press freedom index

Turkey falls to 163rd in RSF press freedom index

RSF cited the regular use of accusations such as “disinformation,” “insulting the president” and “denigrating state institutions” as tools to suppress journalism.

Press freedom groups call on Turkey to abolish ‘disinformation law’

Press freedom groups call on Turkey to abolish ‘disinformation law’

At least 83 journalists have been charged with spreaing disinformation since the law entered into force in 2022.

METU academic sues bianet editor Evrim Kepenek over article on violence allegations

METU academic sues bianet editor Evrim Kepenek over article on violence allegations

The academic alleges that his presumption of innocence was violated.

27 April 2026 Hikmet Adal

Turkey bans social media for children under 15

Turkey bans social media for children under 15

The new legislation requires platforms to implement age verification and parental control tools.

Kurdish Journalism Day marked on 128th anniversary of first newspaper

Kurdish Journalism Day marked on 128th anniversary of first newspaper

"There was exile 128 years ago, and today there is pressure and siege. There is pressure on the entire press, but this pressure is even greater on the Kurdish press," said DEM Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan.

Seized broadcaster TELE1 put up for sale as founder in jail on 'espionage' charges

Seized broadcaster TELE1 put up for sale as founder in jail on 'espionage' charges

Merdan Yanardağ's trial on espionage charges, which led to the seizure of the channel, has not yet begun.

Prosecutor seeks sentence for bianet journalist Tuğçe Yılmaz over interview with Armenian youths

Prosecutor seeks sentence for bianet journalist Tuğçe Yılmaz over interview with Armenian youths

Yılmaz is charged with "insulting the nation and the state" due to the interview.

21 April 2026 Hikmet Adal

bianet becomes first media outlet in Turkey to receive JTI certification

bianet becomes first media outlet in Turkey to receive JTI certification

The Journalism Trust Initiative aims to create and support "trustworthy" media platforms amid a global decline in trust in the media.

Three journalists sentenced over gold smuggling, Israel trade claims

Three journalists sentenced over gold smuggling, Israel trade claims

The journalist were sentenced on "spreading disinformation" and "violation of confidentiality" charges.

Journalist sentenced for 'insulting the president' over 2016 statement

Journalist sentenced for 'insulting the president' over 2016 statement

In a Kurdish-language statement, Hakkı Boltan had criticized the president after a journalist was killed during the urban conflict in Kurdish regions in 2015-16.

Journalist Bahadır Özgür investigated over report on ISIS shell companies in Turkey

Journalist Bahadır Özgür investigated over report on ISIS shell companies in Turkey

Özgür's article detailed a financial crimes authority report submitted to a court during a trial. He now faces charges of disclosing state secrets.

Imprisoned reporter Elif Bayburt: Journalist’s duty is to bear witness under all conditions

Imprisoned reporter Elif Bayburt: Journalist’s duty is to bear witness under all conditions

Bayburt has been held in pretrial detention since February on 'terrorism' charges.

12 April 2026 Evrim Kepenek

'Disinformation law' used against 83 journalists since 2022

'Disinformation law' used against 83 journalists since 2022

Since the law came into effect, 83 journalists have been investigated, detained, arrested, or prosecuted on charges of “publicly disseminating misleading information.”

İrfan Kovankaya

Kurdish journalists targeted in new wave of online censorship

Kurdish journalists targeted in new wave of online censorship

“The government doesn't want any dissenting voices outside of its official narrative," says journalist Ruşen Takva.

10 April 2026 Irfan Kovankaya

Standup comedian Tuba Ulu detained over Sultan Suleiman joke

Standup comedian Tuba Ulu detained over Sultan Suleiman joke

"In this period where women are trying to raise their voices in every field, we do not accept the attempt to silence a woman struggling to exist on stage because of her humor," said a women comedians' group.

İrfan Kovankaya

Social media ID verification plan raises mass surveillance concerns

Social media ID verification plan raises mass surveillance concerns

Turkey is poised to introduce ID verification for all social media users and ban social media for children under 16, with both measures implemented through the same mechanism, according to a free expression group.

8 April 2026 Irfan Kovankaya

Filmmaker Rojhilat Aksoy acquitted of 'insulting Turkish nation'

Filmmaker Rojhilat Aksoy acquitted of 'insulting Turkish nation'

Aksoy faced charges over the screening of an animated film about the Armenian Genocide.

Agos newspaper marks 30 years since founding

Agos newspaper marks 30 years since founding

The Armenian community newspaper in İstanbul marked its anniversary, which coincided with Easter this year, with its staff and readers.

Minister says social media platforms agree to mandatory ID verification in Turkey

Minister says social media platforms agree to mandatory ID verification in Turkey

The new regulation will be implemented after a three-month period.

İrfan Kovankaya

EU strips journalist Hüseyin Doğru of livelihood over pro-Palestine reporting

EU strips journalist Hüseyin Doğru of livelihood over pro-Palestine reporting

After Doğru’s bank accounts were frozen, the sanctions were extended to his spouse’s accounts, effectively cutting off the family’s livelihood.

2 April 2026 Irfan Kovankaya

Açık Radyo brings license revocation to Council of State

Açık Radyo brings license revocation to Council of State

The station's license was revoked after a guest commemorated Armenian Genocide based on a statement from the Presidency.

‘Israel’s attacks will not stop unless real accountability is ensured’

‘Israel’s attacks will not stop unless real accountability is ensured’

We spoke with Lebanese journalist and unionist Elsy Moufarrej about Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, their impact on the country’s internal dynamics, the targeting of journalists, and the struggle they are waging against impunity.

1 April 2026 Vecih Cuzdan

For journalists in Turkey, fighting court cases is becoming part of the job

For journalists in Turkey, fighting court cases is becoming part of the job

Accounts of Tuğçe Yılmaz, Mehmet Aslan, and Furkan Karabay show how pressure on press freedom has evolved into a systematic regime.

1 April 2026 Hikmet Adal

bianet editor Ayşegül Başar receives Metin Göktepe journalism award

bianet editor Ayşegül Başar receives Metin Göktepe journalism award

Başar's reporting revealed that a protestor was tortured over the alleged lowering of a Turkish flag.

Court lifts journalist Furkan Karabay’s house arrest

Court lifts journalist Furkan Karabay’s house arrest

Karabay is facing charges of "publicly spreading misleading information" and "targeting individuals involved in the fight against terrorism."

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