reports in MEDIA category

Prosecutor seeks prison terms for journalists who covered İmamoğlu protests

Prosecutor seeks prison terms for journalists who covered İmamoğlu protests

The Journalists' Union of Turkey (TGS) previously denounced the investigation as a “setup,” claiming that the case file included photos taken from angles that deliberately obscured the journalists’ cameras and press cards, to create the impression that they were protesters rather than members of the press.

11 April 2025 Hikmet Adal

Investigative journalists Timur Soykan, Murat Ağırel detained over blackmail allegations

Investigative journalists Timur Soykan, Murat Ağırel detained over blackmail allegations

The journalists were detained based on the statements of suspects in a money laundering investigation, who alleged that the journalists had threatened and blackmailed them. They were released under judicial supervision at midnight.

Journalists' union denied visit to jailed reporter Elif Akgül

Journalists' union denied visit to jailed reporter Elif Akgül

Akgül, a former board member of TGS and a former editor of bianet, has been detained for over six weeks.

7 April 2025 Hikmet Adal

X users in Turkey migrate to Bluesky amid censorship

X users in Turkey migrate to Bluesky amid censorship

Social media users are increasingly turning to Bluesky in response to government censorship and X’s internal content policies, though Bluesky itself may soon face similar restrictions.

Report: Turkey to require social media platforms to set up local companies

Report: Turkey to require social media platforms to set up local companies

The internet authority's power to restrict access to platforms without court orders will reportedly expand.

Journalism groups demand release of Swedish reporter detained in Turkey

Journalism groups demand release of Swedish reporter detained in Turkey

Five journalism and freedom of expression organizations, all partners in the Media Freedom Rapid Response, have issued a joint statement calling for the immediate release of Joakim Medin.

Turkey’s state broadcaster fires actress, removes series over support for opposition's boycott

Turkey’s state broadcaster fires actress, removes series over support for opposition's boycott

"It is never acceptable for people involved in the projects of TRT, which represents our nation, to be a part of a political campaign, which is clearly initiated by a political party, targets the economy of our country and polarizes the nation," said TRT.

Two journalists covering protests detained by anti-terror police

Two journalists covering protests detained by anti-terror police

Nisa Sude Demirel and Elif Bayburt were detained in early morning raids.

Turkey says deported BBC journalist lacked press accreditation

Turkey says deported BBC journalist lacked press accreditation

Mark Lowen was deported from Turkey, where he was reporting on the recent protests. The Communications Directorate says the deportation was not related to his news coverage.

BBC journalist Mark Lowen deported from Turkey after covering protests

BBC journalist Mark Lowen deported from Turkey after covering protests

“To be detained and deported from the country where I previously lived for five years and for which I have such affection has been extremely distressing," said the journalist.

Pro-opposition TV channel handed 10-day blackout over İmamoğlu protest coverage

Pro-opposition TV channel handed 10-day blackout over İmamoğlu protest coverage

RTÜK has issued a total of seven penalties against four television channels due to their broadcasts during the protests

Tuğçe Yılmaz

İstanbul Film Festival drops queer films section from 2025 lineup

İstanbul Film Festival drops queer films section from 2025 lineup

LGBTI+ activists have called for a boycott of the festival, while organizers said this year’s edition includes fewer sections but more films, and that the removal of the section does not affect the movies being screened.

27 March 2025 Tuğçe Yılmaz

YouTube broadcaster İlker Canikligil arrested over call for 'Order 66' targeting Erdoğan supporters

YouTube broadcaster İlker Canikligil arrested over call for 'Order 66' targeting Erdoğan supporters

Canikligil came under fire after recounting his dialogue with a taxi driver who supports the president.

Court orders release of journalists arrested over İmamoğlu protest coverage

Court orders release of journalists arrested over İmamoğlu protest coverage

The journalists were remanded in custody after the prosecutor reportedly amending their initial request for their release.

Seven ournalists arrested over coverage of İmamoğlu protests

Seven ournalists arrested over coverage of İmamoğlu protests

Eight journalists were detained in house raids yesterday.

RSF condemns police violence against journalists covering İmamoğlu protests

RSF condemns police violence against journalists covering İmamoğlu protests

The group demanded release of the journalists who were detained due to their coverage of the peotests.

Court orders blocking of bianet’s X account

Court orders blocking of bianet’s X account

The order comes amid a wave of online censorship targeting hundreds of accounts covering the protests following the İstanbul mayor's arrest.

Turkey detains journalists covering protests in house raids

Turkey detains journalists covering protests in house raids

Several journalists have been injured during police response since the protests began on Mar 19 while covering the events on site. Also, police reportely damaged journalists' equipment in some cases.

Journalist unions condemn police violence against reporters during İmamoğlu protests

Journalist unions condemn police violence against reporters during İmamoğlu protests

Police response to protests have left several journalists injured.

X restricts access to activist accounts in Turkey amid İmamoğlu protests

X restricts access to activist accounts in Turkey amid İmamoğlu protests

Leftist and student groups that have actively participated in the protests have been affected by the restrictions upon court orders.

Turkey lifts social media restrictions after İstanbul mayor’s arrest while dozens detained over posts

Turkey lifts social media restrictions after İstanbul mayor’s arrest while dozens detained over posts

The restrictions slowing down major social media and messaging apps remained in place for 42 hours. Meanwhile, police have identified 326 accounts in connections with posts about İmamoğlu's detention, with 54 have been taken into custody.

Turkey restricts social media amid crackdown on İstanbul mayor

Turkey restricts social media amid crackdown on İstanbul mayor

All major social media and messaging apps are being throttled.

TV anchor Ece Üner taken to courthouse for questioning

TV anchor Ece Üner taken to courthouse for questioning

Üner is accused of "publicly insulting judicial institutions" and "attempting to influence a fair trial."

Belgian journalist Chris Den Hond denied entry to Turkey

Belgian journalist Chris Den Hond denied entry to Turkey

Police officers told Den Hond he was blacklisted due to his celebration of Kurdish forces' defense of Kobanî against ISIS, according to the journalist.

Turkey blocks access to websites of major alcohol brands

Turkey blocks access to websites of major alcohol brands

Websites of Chivas Regal, Jameson, Jack Daniel’s, Ballantine’s, Martini, and Bacardi have been blocked.

Business mogul files complaint against 26 journalists from same newspaper

Business mogul files complaint against 26 journalists from same newspaper

If prosecutors accept the complaint and proceed with a case, each journalist could face prison sentences ranging from one to 4.5 years, with potential total sentences reaching up to 17.5 years.

Turkey's independent media protest Google over ‘algorithmic censorship'

Turkey's independent media protest Google over ‘algorithmic censorship'

An analysis of website traffic shows that conglomerate and state media benefit significantly more from searches on Google and its news app than independent outlets.

13 March 2025 Volga Kuşçuoğlu

Independent news outlet Gazete Duvar shutting down due to financial difficulties

Independent news outlet Gazete Duvar shutting down due to financial difficulties

The outlet's executives say sharply reduced website traffic due to Google's algorithm changes was the primary reason behind their decision.

Journalist Ayşenur Arslan faces up to 7.5 years in prison over comments on bomb attack

Journalist Ayşenur Arslan faces up to 7.5 years in prison over comments on bomb attack

Arslan is standing trial over his comments about a bomb attack by the PKK that targeted the Interior Ministry in 2023.

bianet reporter Evrim Deniz files complaint over online violence following Women's Day post

bianet reporter Evrim Deniz files complaint over online violence following Women's Day post

Deniz faced sexist and racist harassment after sharing a photo emphasizing LGBTI+ rights.

bianet reporter Evrim Deniz faces online harassment after Women's Day post

bianet reporter Evrim Deniz faces online harassment after Women's Day post

“Women journalists are not safe anywhere. The messages I received—threats of rape, murder, and insults—once again show what women journalists go through," said Deniz.

Media and democracy in the Western Balkans and Turkey: alarming trends unveiled

Media and democracy in the Western Balkans and Turkey: alarming trends unveiled

Journalism and media in the Western Balkans and Turkey are in a state of perpetual crisis, according to the conclusion of a study on the state of media and democracy in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey.

4 March 2025 Sanja Kljajić

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