Yeni Parti Deputy Chair Utku Çakırözer released a report on violations of press freedom in August and September. According to the report, journalists appeared before judges at least 50 times in September and access was blocked to about 1,350 social media accounts. Numerous journalists, including Oya Lale Özan Arslan, Ali Tarakçı, Tuğba Tekerek, Selahattin Günday, Fatih Ergin, Hüseyin Aykan and İrem Delice, were arrested. Investigations and cases were opened against some journalists over their reports, social media posts and statements on television programs. Journalists were detained, attacked or obstructed while covering news. Access was blocked to T24’s website and to social media accounts belonging to organizations including Evrensel, Kısa Dalga and Mezopotamya Ajansı. The blocked accounts included those of journalists, academics, economists, rights defenders and professional organizations. Çakırözer said reports on political and economic connections in the investment fund crisis were also blocked and argued that judicial pressure and censorship targeting journalists violated the public’s right to information.
11 October 2026
Cumhuriyet