TÜRKİYE GÜNDEMİ

The IFJ – International Federation of Journalists, IPI, and partner organizations are calling for action in Türkiye due to the increasing violations of press freedom in 2025. Journalists and members of the public stand behind a police barrier as coffins arrive in Bolu, Türkiye, for those who died in a devastating fire on January 22, 2025; the RTÜK (Radio and Television Supreme Council) had instructed media outlets to base their reporting on the fire solely on information from official sources. Ozan KOSE / AFP via Getty Images. IFJ and other signatories urge Turkish authorities to uphold the principles of justice, release journalists arbitrarily arrested and detained, and protect the vital role of journalism in promoting public debate on issues of public interest and democracy. This statement was first published on February 6, 2025, at freeturkeyjournalists.ipi. The International Press Institute (IPI), along with the undersigned press freedom, freedom of expression, human rights and journalist organizations and media outlets, expresses serious concern about the recent surge in press freedom violations in Türkiye, noting that the new year has begun with a worrying start. The frequent use of arbitrary arrests, detentions, judicial supervision measures and convictions constitutes an existential threat to independent media, democratic discourse and fundamental human rights in the country. To safeguard the foundations of democracy and human rights, Turkey must ensure that its practices are consistent with both international standards for the protection of freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and with the protections enshrined in its own constitution. In January 2025 alone, at least nine journalists were arrested, six were sentenced to prison, five were detained, investigations were launched against 23, and one was obstructed by police. Here is a timeline of the alarming increase in press freedom violations in the last month (the list below is not exhaustive): On January 2, authorities launched an investigation against journalist Aslıhan Gençay for her reporting on corruption in Hatay. They blocked access to his article and prosecuted him on numerous charges, including violating the disinformation law; this appears to be a clear attempt to suppress investigative journalism. On January 7, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation against 21 journalists who covered the final hearing of the Kobani case. The journalists could face fines for allegedly taking unauthorized photographs; this is a step that effectively criminalizes routine court reporting. On January 17, this resulted in the coordinated detention of six journalists – Reyhan Hacıoğlu, Necla Demir, Rahime Karvar, Vedat Örüç, Velat Ekin, and Ahmet Güneş – in various cities. Deprived of their basic rights, including access to legal services, the journalists were arrested on January 20 without giving statements. The authorities' only justification appears to be legitimate journalistic activity. (Note: Ahmet Güneş was released on February 4th.) On January 21st, Rudaw TV reporter Rawin Sterk Yıldız encountered police intervention while trying to document an arrest in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district. Despite clearly identifying himself as a journalist, he was prevented from documenting the event. The alarming decision on January 23rd resulted in five journalists (Yakup Çetin, Ahmet Memiş, Cemal Azmi Kalyoncu, Ünal Tanık, Yetkin Yıldız, Gökçe Fırat Çulhaoğlu) being sentenced to harsh prison terms ranging from 25 months to 6 years in a terrorism-related case, despite a lack of credible evidence. The arrest of journalist Eylem Babayiğit on January 24th further highlighted the arbitrary use of the "membership of an organization" charge. On January 28, the detention of journalists Barış Pehlivan, Seda Selek, and Serhan Asker following the publication of a recorded phone conversation with an expert witness, raised concerns about restrictions on reporting on matters of public interest. The court released Seda Selek and Serhan Asker under judicial supervision. Also on January 28, the initiation of an investigation against T24 columnist Şirin Payzın for alleged "terrorist propaganda" based on her social media posts demonstrated a worrying expansion of online freedom of expression under surveillance and criminalization. On January 28, journalist Safiye Alagaş, former news editor of the pro-Kurdish JINNEWS, was sentenced to six years and three months in prison. Alagaş had already served a year of her sentence and was released pending her appeal. On January 29, Halk TV's Editor-in-Chief Suat Toktaş, program coordinator Kürşad Oğuz, and journalist Barış Pehlivan were detained for broadcasting a recorded phone conversation they had with an expert witness. Pehlivan and Oğuz were released under judicial supervision, while Toktaş was arrested. Authorities cited the risk of escape and the possibility of tampering with evidence as reasons for the detention.