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February 09, 2025 – Turkey –
Turkish authorities detained three journalists from the independent newspaper BirGün after they published a story about a visit by a journalist from the pro-government Sabah newspaper to Istanbul’s chief prosecutor, Akın Gürlek. The detained journalists—Uğur Koç, Berkant Gültekin, and Yaşar Gökdemir—were accused under Turkey’s broad anti-terrorism laws of “targeting individuals engaged in counterterrorism efforts.” This move sparked significant backlash both within Turkey and internationally.
The story at the center of the controversy had already been reported by Sabah itself, making the detention of the BirGün journalists even more contentious. Critics argue that the arrests are part of a growing pattern of suppression targeting independent media voices and dissenting journalists in Turkey. Despite their detention, the three journalists were released the following day after a court hearing, though they were not formally cleared of charges.
The detentions prompted protests in major cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, where demonstrators rallied under slogans like “Journalism is not a crime.” Media rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), condemned the detentions as unjustified and a violation of press freedom. RSF described the incident as an alarming example of the continued crackdown on journalists in Turkey, where freedom of expression faces significant challenges.
Turkey’s use of anti-terrorism laws to silence journalists is a tactic frequently criticized by international human rights groups. These laws, critics say, are often applied arbitrarily to target government critics and independent media, creating a climate of fear and self-censorship. The BirGün journalists’ detention adds to the long list of cases where journalists have faced intimidation, legal harassment, or imprisonment for their reporting.
This incident highlights the precarious environment for journalists in Turkey, where reporting on sensitive political matters can lead to detention or worse. It underscores the urgent need for reforms to protect press freedom and uphold democratic rights in the country, ensuring journalists can work without fear of reprisal.
Reference –
3 journalists briefly detained in Turkey over İstanbul prosecutor story
