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March 22, 2026 – Turkey –
The arrest and continued detention of Turkish investigative journalist Alican Uludağ have sparked widespread condemnation from international media organizations, reinforcing concerns about the state of press freedom in Türkiye.
Uludağ, a correspondent for Germany’s public broadcaster Deutsche Welle, was detained on February 19, 2026, after police raided his home in Ankara and confiscated his equipment. He was subsequently transferred to Istanbul and formally arrested a day later on charges including “insulting the president” and “spreading disinformation,” linked to his reporting and social media activity.
Press freedom groups argue that the charges are politically motivated and reflect a broader effort to silence independent journalism. PEN International described Uludağ as a respected journalist targeted solely for his work, calling on Turkish authorities to drop all charges and release him immediately.
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and other advocacy organizations have echoed these demands, emphasizing that Uludağ’s arrest followed routine journalistic activity and criticism of government actions. They noted that dozens of officers were involved in his detention, which took place in front of his family, underscoring what critics describe as an intimidation tactic.
Uludağ is currently being held in a high-security prison near Istanbul, with no formal indictment issued at the time of reporting. Appeals against his detention have been rejected, prolonging his incarceration and raising further concerns about due process.
His case is widely seen as part of a broader pattern in Türkiye, where journalists face legal pressure, arrests, and prosecution under broadly defined laws. Rights groups warn that such measures contribute to a climate of fear, encouraging self-censorship and limiting the ability of media workers to report freely on political and judicial matters.
The arrest has also drawn international attention, with calls from European and global organizations urging Turkish authorities to uphold press freedom standards and protect journalists from politically motivated prosecutions. Observers note that the use of charges such as “insulting the president” has become increasingly common in cases involving critical reporting.
As calls for Uludağ’s release continue, his detention underscores the ongoing challenges facing journalists in Türkiye. Press freedom advocates warn that without meaningful reforms and accountability, the space for independent journalism in the country will remain severely constrained.
Reference –
Turkey: EFJ demands immediate release of journalist Alican Uludağ
https://www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-release-investigative-journalist-alican-uluda
