Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Turkish Court Blocks T24 Over Alleged LGBTQ+ Propaganda
A Turkish court ordered that the news organization T24’s website and social media accounts be blocked.
Officials said T24 had published 118 pieces they considered “LGBT propaganda.”
T24 said it had not yet received the official notice and planned to challenge the decision.
The order is part of a larger investigation called “My Family is Safe.”
The government says that investigation protects children and traditional family values.
LGBTQ+ groups, activists and some media outlets have also faced website and account blocks.
A journalist whose articles were cited said they were objective reports, not propaganda.
T24’s editor said the restrictions make it harder for journalists to do their jobs.
The European Union and Human Rights Watch said the crackdown threatens free expression, media freedom and fundamental rights.
Istanbul’s 1st Criminal Court of Peace ordered T24’s website and social media accounts blocked.
The Justice Ministry said authorities identified 118 T24 pieces as “LGBT propaganda” over the past year.
T24 said it had not received official notification and planned to appeal the order.
The ban was issued during the “My Family is Safe” investigation targeting LGBTQ+ groups, activists and media outlets.
T24 journalists and rights groups said the action criminalizes objective reporting and threatens media freedom and fundamental rights.
- Who
- Istanbul’s 1st Criminal Court of Peace ordered action against independent news portal T24; T24 journalists, LGBTQ+ groups and activists were also affected by the broader crackdown.
- What
- The court ordered access to T24’s website and social media accounts blocked over content authorities labeled “LGBT propaganda.”
- When
- The order was reported on September 30, while T24’s planned appeal and journalist reactions were reported on October 1.
- Where
- The order was issued in Istanbul, Turkey, and sent to Turkey’s Cyber Security Presidency for implementation.
- Why
- Authorities said 118 T24 pieces produced over the previous year constituted “LGBT propaganda”; the government says the wider investigation protects children and family values.
Government and court rationale
Journalists and rights critics
Characterization of T24’s reporting
Government and court rationale
Turkish authorities said 118 pieces published by T24 over the past year constituted “LGBT propaganda.” The government says the broader investigation is intended to protect children and family values.
Journalists and rights critics
Yıldız Tar, whose articles were among those cited, said they were objective reporting about LGBTQ+ rights, hate killings and LGBTQ+ people’s experiences after the 2023 earthquake, not propaganda.
Effect of the restrictions
Government and court rationale
Authorities have blocked websites and social media accounts linked to LGBTQ+ organizations, activists and media outlets during the investigation, and sent T24’s order for implementation.
Journalists and rights critics
T24 editor Candan Yildiz said the restrictions create a “digital state of emergency” and undermine journalism. The European Union and Human Rights Watch said the crackdown threatens freedom of expression, media freedom, fundamental rights and the rule of law.
- Affected outlet
- T24, an independent Turkish news portal
- Court
- Istanbul’s 1st Criminal Court of Peace
- Content cited
- 118 pieces produced over the previous year
- Implementation
- The order was sent to Turkey’s Cyber Security Presidency
- T24 response
- The outlet said it had not received official notification and planned to appeal
- Broader investigation
- “My Family is Safe,” targeting LGBTQ+ groups, activists and media outlets
- International reaction
- The European Union and Human Rights Watch criticized the restrictions and urged protection of fundamental rights and media freedom