Amed — Journalists in Turkey face escalating investigations and digital blocks that limit their ability to report news, amid expanding restrictions on digital platforms and continued targeting of media institutions.

The Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) issued its report on human rights violations against journalists during the past month of August, affirming that media workers' right to report news and the public's right to access information are facing systematic obstruction and increasing bans.

In the report's evaluation section, it noted that pressure on the press in Turkey continued without pause during the same month, stating that authorities detained journalists and opened investigations against others, while some were tried for their social media posts, news reports, or professional activities.

According to the data provided, August saw the detention of four journalists, including workers at Aydın Denge newspaper, in addition to the arrest of one journalist, investigations opened against five journalists, and four others tried in two separate cases. The detention of the newspaper's representative and correspondents due to posts published out of loyalty subjected their journalistic work to judicial scrutiny. The report confirmed that journalist Ayrem Delisi was initially released under judicial supervision, before being re‑detained and arrested following an appeal by the public prosecutor's office.

Investigations Opened

The report stated that Turkish authorities continued to open investigations during the past month on the basis of news reports and social media posts, pointing to a series of measures targeting journalists at various institutions.

According to the information provided, an investigation was opened against İlke TV correspondent Zelan Azad due to an interview she conducted, while former Hürriyet editor‑in‑chief Ertuğrul Özkök was investigated following his participation in a program. In a similar context, journalist Can Bursalı was released under judicial supervision after an investigation was opened against him on the basis of his news reports and social media posts.

Judicial pressure also extended to journalist Burhan Can Terzi, who was investigated for his sports reporting, while İzmir Journalists Association president Dilek Gappi was questioned over a statement she made concerning journalists.

 

Repression and Censorship

The report drew attention to the expansion of censorship on digital media during August, noting that electronic censorship has become one of the most prominent tools of pressure on press freedom, as numerous media and journalistic accounts were blocked within Turkey, along with restricted access to the news published on them.

According to the report, journalistic materials related to the Zülfikarlar Holding Company, others concerning the killing of Rojin Kabayış, in addition to investigative files on the Medipole Company, were used as justifications for blocking digital media accounts. On platform X, the accounts of journalists Ozgür Değer and Salih Sertkal were blocked due to coverage related to the killing of Rojin Kabayış, and access to these accounts was prohibited within Turkey.

The measures also targeted the accounts of Medya TV, Etkin, and JINNEWS on platform X, along with the blocking of Mezopotamya and the accounts of journalists Nasuh Bektaş and Fırat Fıstık within the country. The blocks extended to Instagram, where access to the Nujin Media account was restricted.

Guaranteeing Journalists' Rights

It noted the continuation of restrictions on digital media accounts, affirming that pressure on free press extended to multiple platforms, including YouTube, where the JINNEWS account was completely closed during the past month.

The association stressed in its report that what was witnessed during August constitutes a clear violation of journalists' rights, while also noting that restrictions on digital media accounts continued without any retreat, and that pressure extended to multiple platforms, reaching the point of complete closure of journalistic accounts.

It explained that the JINNEWS account on YouTube was completely shut down, a step the Dicle Association considered a continuation of violations against journalists' rights and press freedom, noting that journalists' right to report news and the public's right to receive it are being obstructed, and that journalists themselves have become direct targets of restrictions and prosecutions.

In conclusion, the association stressed the need to end pressure on the press and journalists, demanding that journalists be able to perform their work in full freedom and with independent thought, and that legal protection for freedom of thought and the right to report news be ensured. It also called for an end to the detention, arrest, and trial of journalists, and for an end to restrictions on digital media.