The case was filed after a key witness in the Kobanî trial, whose testimony contributed to prison sentences for several pro-Kurdish politicians, filed a complaint regarding news reports about the court proceedings.

Canikligil was arrested in late March after calling for “order 66” against Erdoğan’s supporters, referencing a mass extermination command from the Star Wars series.

The fact that investigations were launched into 55 journalists, columnists, and reporters over a three-month period shows how closely critical journalism is being monitored by the judiciary.

During a broadcast, Özlem Gürses appeared to conflate ISIS with Turkish-backed groups in Syria, likely by mistake, which led to a criminal case being filed against her.

Saraç asserts that her detention had wider consequences for the astrology community, citing the recently increased scrutiny of astrologists.

Şık was put on trial in 2019 after he revealed the results of a researcher conducted by the Health Ministry.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.