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February 27, 2025 – Turkey –
Two prominent Turkish journalists faced harsh legal penalties linked to their coverage of Kurdish political topics. Özlem Gürses received a suspended prison sentence after a Turkish court convicted her of “disseminating terrorist propaganda” for a YouTube interview with a Syrian Kurdish leader. The ruling means Gürses will avoid immediate jail time but remains under probation, with authorities signaling zero tolerance for media giving voice to Kurdish perspectives.
Separately, veteran journalist Nevsin Mengu was sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison on similar charges. Mengu, known for critical reporting on government policies and minority issues, was found guilty of spreading propaganda through her public statements and publications addressing the Kurdish conflict. The verdicts highlight an alarming trend in Turkey where authorities increasingly conflate journalism with terrorism-related offenses.
Human rights groups and press freedom advocates condemned these convictions as serious violations of free expression. They warn that the government’s expanding crackdown on independent journalism is closing space for dissent and undermining democratic norms. These cases underscore the risks faced by journalists covering sensitive political issues in Turkey, especially those involving Kurdish voices.
The Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism has flagged both cases, emphasizing the urgent need for Turkey to uphold press freedom and release all journalists persecuted for their work. The convictions fuel concerns over judicial harassment used to silence critical media.
As these journalists navigate appeals and legal challenges, their cases continue to draw international attention to Turkey’s deteriorating environment for independent journalism. The suspended sentence and prison term send a chilling message to the media landscape, where reporting on minority rights and conflict remains perilous. The international community and press watchdogs urge Turkey to respect journalists’ rights and end punitive actions that threaten free speech.
Reference –
https://fom.coe.int/en/alerte/detail/107642205;globalSearch=false
Turkish journalist gets suspended sentence over YouTube interview with Syrian Kurdish leader
