Turkey: Broadcast regulator fines several news channels over critical coverage of elections

The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, journalists, and media executives for press freedom, condemns the latest decision by Turkey’s broadcast regulator to fine several broadcasters over their critical election coverage. Journalists and broadcasters must be allowed to do their jobs of informing the public over critical issues and holding the government [...]

Turkey: Journalists attacked and hindered on presidential election day

The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, journalists and media executives for press freedom, condemns the instances of violence and obstruction targeting journalists during the second round of presidential elections in Turkey on May 28, 2023. The attacks and hindrances against journalists are a blatant violation of press freedom and undermine the [...]

IPI General Assembly Resolution: Turkey must respect press freedom as essential element of democracy

The members of the International Press Institute (IPI), meeting at their 72nd annual General Assembly during the IPI World Congress on May 25, 2023 in Vienna, Austria, adopted by unanimous vote a resolution calling on the eventual winner of Turkey’s presidential election to end the country’s crackdown on independent journalism and respect press freedom as [...]

Turkey Trial Blog: Ankara court releases 11 journalists arrested in mass raids

On May 16, 2023, a representative of the International Press Institute (IPI) attended and monitored the trial of 11 journalists charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” as part of IPI’s Turkey trial monitoring programme. The hearing took place at the Ankara 4th High Criminal Court with the prosecution seeking prison sentences of up to [...]

Turkey Trial Blog: Journalists’ case launched upon the complaint of President Erdoğan’s former lawyer combined with three other cases

The International Press Institute (IPI) monitored the sixth hearing in the trial of journalists Can Bursalı, Barış Terkoğlu, Barış Pehlivan and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Turkish, Nevzat Çiçek. They are charged with “insult” and “calumny” following a complaint from President Erdoğan’s former lawyer, Mustafa Doğan İnal. The hearing was held on May 11, 2023 at the [...]

IPI Webinar Recap (April 26): Election Reporting

Turkey heads towards landmark presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14. To shed light on journalism during election times, the International Press Institute (IPI) Turkey National Committee, in partnership with Columbia Global Centers | Istanbul, hosted a webinar as part of a series of discussions addressing challenges of journalism amid political, social, and technological developments in the [...]

Turkey: Journalists face detentions, violence ahead of election

The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, journalists and media executives for press freedom, condemns the latest wave of assaults and detentions of journalists across Turkey. As national elections approach, journalists must be allowed to do their job of informing the public on critical issues and authorities must ensure their safety. IPI [...]

Media Freedom on the Line as Turkey Approaches Elections

As Turkey prepares for presidential and parliamentary elections, press freedom and human rights groups demand that, whoever forms the next government, unwinding a decade of restrictions on media freedom must be a central priority for the country. The extent of the media freedom crisis facing Turkey is outlined in the International Press Institute’s (IPI) report [...]

Turkey: International groups demand release of Kurdish journalists, lawyers, political party officials detained in pre-election crackdown

Media freedom, freedom of expression, and human rights organisations call on Turkish authorities to stop the systematic harassment and intimidation of Kurdish journalists, media workers, media outlets, the lawyers that defend them, and Kurdish political party officials, give them access to legal counsel, disclose full details of charges brought and to ensure that they are [...]

Turkey: International groups condemn broadcast regulator role in punishing critical reporting ahead of elections

The International Press Institute (IPI) and 20 press freedom, freedom of expression and human rights organizations call on Turkey’s broadcast regulator (RTÜK) to immediately stop fining broadcasters for their critical reporting. Journalists and broadcasters must be allowed to do their jobs of informing the public over critical issues and holding the government to account.  Instead [...]