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April 25, 2025 – Turkey –
Turkish journalist and political commentator Özlem Gürses has been sentenced to prison and placed under house arrest for remarks made during a television broadcast criticizing Turkey’s military actions in Syria. Her case has intensified concerns over press freedom in Turkey, where journalists are increasingly criminalized for challenging official narratives, especially on national security and foreign policy.
Gürses, a well-known media figure, was convicted of “publicly denigrating the Turkish nation and state institutions” under Article 301 of Turkey’s penal code, a charge often used against dissenting voices. Her comments, made in a 2023 panel discussion, questioned the humanitarian consequences of Turkey’s cross-border military campaigns in northern Syria. Although her tone was analytical rather than inflammatory, authorities interpreted her critique as an attack on the armed forces.
A Turkish court sentenced Gürses to a suspended prison term and ordered her to remain under house arrest, with restrictions on her communication and travel. The ruling sparked backlash from press freedom advocates and opposition parties, who argue that the punishment is politically motivated and meant to deter journalists from covering sensitive topics.
Gürses’s case comes amid a broader crackdown on the press in Turkey. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), seven other journalists and media workers were recently jailed, and many face ongoing legal harassment. Journalists reporting on military operations, Kurdish issues, and corruption are especially vulnerable. Critics say the Turkish government uses vague anti-terror and national security laws to suppress dissent and maintain control over public discourse.
International rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders and the CPJ, have called on Turkey to drop charges against Gürses and release all journalists imprisoned for doing their jobs. They warn that the climate of fear is silencing critical journalism and eroding democratic accountability.
As Gürses now speaks out from house arrest, her case serves as a powerful symbol of the ongoing struggle for press freedom in Turkey. Her conviction not only silences her voice but also sends a message to other journalists: challenging the state can cost you your freedom.
Reference –
Turkey jails 7 journalists and media workers, places 1 under house arrest
https://bianet.org/haber/journalist-ozlem-gurses-sentenced-to-prison-over-comments-on-syria-306811
