The Independent Communication Network (BİA) published its Media Monitoring Report covering July-September 2026. According to the report, at least seven journalists were arrested, 13 were detained, investigations were launched into 17 journalists and five journalists were physically attacked during the three-month period. Access was blocked to the X accounts of at least 16 journalists and eight media organizations and to 52 online news reports. T24’s entire website was blocked over allegations of “LGBT propaganda.” The journalists arrested included Tuğba Tekerek, Ali Tarakcı, Selahattin Günday, Oya Lale Arslan, Fatih Ergin, İrem Delice and Fatma Sibel Gürcihan. The report said the charge of “publicly disseminating misleading information” was widely used in investigations and arrests targeting journalists. Journalists Neşe İdil and Cihat Polat received prison sentences, while Timur Soykan and Sarya Toprak were acquitted. RTÜK imposed administrative fines totaling 1.104 million TL on television channels. The report highlighted access blocks on reports and social media posts concerning the fund crisis, threats against journalists, obstruction of news coverage and pressure on independent media outlets.
21 October 2026
bianet