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July 08, 2025 – Turkey –
The Mesopotamian Women Journalists Association (MKG) reported a sharp escalation in the Turkish government’s suppression of press freedom. The month saw seven female journalists detained, two of whom were remanded to prison, signaling the intensified criminalization of journalistic activity. Additionally, authorities raided three journalists’ homes, subjected two individuals to mistreatment, and issued threats against three more.
One prominent case involved Zeynep Durgut, a reporter for Mezopotamya Agency, who was threatened due to her investigative reporting, highlighting the growing dangers facing those who dare expose the truth. The MKG denounced these actions as part of a broader pattern of systematic attacks on freedom of expression, pointing to the dismissal of journalists from VOA Kurdish as a troubling example of institutional censorship.
In a related development, journalist Ceylan Şahinli is now under official investigation for publicly commemorating colleagues killed in a recent Turkish attack. Şahinli’s tribute, meant to honor fallen colleagues, has instead been framed as a prosecutable offense. This move underscores a deeper trend in Turkey, where even expressions of remembrance risk being construed as criminal acts.
Both incidents are emblematic of an expanding state crackdown on media dissent. According to MKG, authorities consistently wield legal and extralegal tools to intimidate female journalists specifically—detentions, threats, and coordinated reprisals have become routine. Parallel data from other press watchdogs, such as DFG’s report of 16 journalists detained and six jailed in June, reinforce the MKG’s alarming assessment.
Human rights advocates warn this crackdown has a chilling ripple effect: press outlets are increasingly self-censoring, and Kurdish-affiliated media face even harsher repression. In recent years, Türkiye has solidified its position among the top global jailers of journalists, predominantly from Kurdish backgrounds.
Together, these developments paint a bleak portrait of shrinking civic space in Turkey, particularly affecting female and Kurdish journalists. The detention spree, punitive detentions, and looming investigation into Şahinli’s tribute highlight a broader authoritarian consolidation, where reporting the news, remembering victims, and criticizing power can lead to legal peril.
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