Politics · Turkey · 11 hrs ago
İmamoğlu urges public to support independent media in Turkey
Jailed İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu urged people in Turkey to support independent media by buying newspapers, reading them and following journalists online.
He said government action against television stations, news websites and social media accounts was limiting the public’s access to information.
The appeal comes amid a wider crackdown on critical media, including a court-ordered state takeover of broadcaster Halk TV on October 14 and an access block against news site T24.
İmamoğlu has been jailed since March 2025 on corruption-related charges that he says are politically motivated.
Press organizations have called for nationwide demonstrations on October 24 to oppose journalist arrests, state takeovers of opposition media and restrictions on news access.
The protests will also mark one year since the state takeover of pro-opposition television station TELE1.
At least 22 journalists have been arrested or detained this year under Turkey’s disinformation law, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Jailed İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu urged the public to buy newspapers and support independent journalists amid a crackdown on critical media.
In a message posted on X, he accused the government of depriving the public of its right to information by targeting media outlets and accounts.
He named Sözcü, Cumhuriyet, Karar and BirGün, and encouraged people to follow independent journalists and subscribe to their channels.
His appeal came ahead of nationwide demonstrations planned for October 24 against journalist arrests, media takeovers and restrictions on access to news.
Recent actions cited in the article include the state takeover of broadcaster Halk TV and access-blocking orders against news website T24 and numerous X accounts.
- Who
- Jailed İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the main opposition New Party’s presidential candidate.
- What
- He urged the public to buy newspapers, follow independent journalists and subscribe to their channels.
- When
- Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- Where
- Turkey; his message was posted on his Presidential Candidate Office account on X.
- Why
- He said the public’s right to information was being threatened by a crackdown on critical media.
Turkish authorities
Halk TV and opposition figures
Halk TV takeover
Turkish authorities
Authorities ordered the takeover as part of an investigation into allegations of bribery, bid rigging and money laundering involving the broadcaster’s owner.
Halk TV and opposition figures
Halk TV’s owner and opposition figures described the move as an attempt to silence critical reporting.
An İstanbul court ordered access blocked to independent news website T24 and its social media accounts.
The Committee to Protect Journalists warned that the crackdown was approaching a “crisis point.
An İstanbul court placed Halk TV under the management of the state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund, and live broadcasts were halted.
İmamoğlu urged the public to support newspapers and independent journalists.
Nationwide demonstrations were planned against journalist arrests, state takeovers of opposition media and restrictions on access to news.
- İmamoğlu
- Jailed since March 2025 on corruption-related charges he describes as politically motivated
- Halk TV owner
- Cafer Mahiroğlu
- X account blocking orders
- At least 1,270 accounts targeted in September, according to İFÖD
- Journalists arrested or detained
- At least 22 this year under Turkey’s disinformation law, according to CPJ
- Press freedom ranking
- Turkey ranked 163rd out of 180 in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index
- National media under government control
- 90 percent, according to Reporters Without Borders
What people are saying
They have declared war on you, my people! The profiteers are playing their last card with a media grab, depriving the public of its right to information
Stand up against the enemies of the people and respond by buying newspapers. Read them, get others to read them, spread the word. … Speak up and encourage others to speak up
Posts on X
Sana savaş açtılar ey halkım! Vurguncular son kozları MEDYA VURGUNU ile halkın haber alma hakkını gasp ediyor. Televizyonlar, sosyal medya hesapları, haber siteleri, YouTube kanalları kapatılıyor! Halk düşmanlarına karşı ayağa kalkın, GAZETE satın alarak yanıt verin. Okuyun,