IPS Communication Foundation – Bianet

Journalists Elif Akgül, Yıldız Tar and Nurcan Kaya were among the 52 people arrested in mid-February as part of an ongoing investigation by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Bianet’s review of 2024 reveals that 25 journalists and press outlets were attacked last year, 82 media workers were threatened, 57 journalists were detained and 36 were convicted.

In addition to the detention of 31 journalists, there were at least 12 physical attacks on the press; and 17 journalists faced charges of “insulting the president”.

The ‘X’ and YouTube accounts of the ‘Mezopotamya Agency’ have been blocked. Other prominent Kurdish outlets also blocked on ‘X’ in Turkey include ‘Jin News’ and ‘Yeni Yaşam’.

“In the face of environmental problems, it is critical to take small steps to alleviate anxiety and find a way to access accurate information” – Bianet

On 26 November, police conducted simultaneous raids in İstanbul and provinces with large Kurdish populations, detaining five journalists and a film director.

Bianet’s shadow report on Turkey highlights threats to freedom of expression from several sources and gender-based violence.

Authorities raided the journalist’s home after she reported on an alleged criminal gang in the Kurdish-populated eastern city of Hakkari.