World · Middle East · 7 hrs ago
Thousands protest in Turkey against pressure on journalists and media
Thousands of people protested in Istanbul and Ankara on October 24 against pressure on journalists and media in Turkey.
The crowds included journalists, rights activists and opposition representatives, and police counted at least 3,000 people in each city.
The Turkish Journalists’ Union says 11 journalists have been jailed in two months and several media outlets have shut down.
In October, police raided Halk TV, Turkey’s most-watched news channel, stopped its broadcasts and placed it under a government-appointed administrator.
The demonstrations come after years of increasing restrictions on press freedom since a failed coup attempt in 2016, including prosecutions and internet censorship.
Protesters said independent news protects the public’s right to information and warned that pressure could silence critical voices.
Organizers called for demonstrations in ten cities, but the available accounts do not say what action authorities will take next.
Thousands of people rallied in Istanbul and Ankara on October 24 to protest pressure on journalists and media in Turkey.
Police said at least 3,000 people gathered in each city.
The protests followed arrests of journalists, media shutdowns and state takeovers of outlets, which rights advocates say are restricting independent journalism.
The Turkish Journalists’ Union said 11 journalists had been jailed in the previous two months and several media outlets had been shut down.
Earlier in October, police raided Halk TV, halted its broadcasts and placed it under a government-appointed administrator.
- Who
- Thousands of protesters, including journalists, rights activists and opposition representatives, took part.
- What
- They protested pressure on journalists and media, including arrests, shutdowns and state appointments to media outlets.
- When
- October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey. Organizers had called for demonstrations in ten cities, according to NOS.
- Why
- Organizers cited censorship, pressure on journalists and government takeovers of broadcasters. Protesters said they were defending press freedom and the public’s access to information.
Turkish authorities
Protesters and opposition
Halk TV case
Turkish authorities
The authorities suspect the channel’s chairman of bribery, money laundering and fraud, according to NOS.
Protesters and opposition
The opposition says the police raid and takeover were politically motivated and aimed at silencing critical voices.
Media restrictions
Turkish authorities
Authorities have accused journalists of spreading fake news, and described content on T24 as “LGBT propaganda.
Protesters and opposition
Protesters and rights advocates say arrests, shutdowns and state appointments are putting independent journalism and access to information under pressure.
Press freedom in Turkey began facing increasing constraints after a failed coup attempt, according to the articles.
Police raided Halk TV, halted broadcasts and placed the channel under a government-appointed administrator.
Thousands rallied in Istanbul and Ankara against pressure on journalists and media.
- Istanbul crowd
- At least 3,000 people, according to police
- Ankara crowd
- At least 3,000 protesters, according to a police count
- Journalists jailed
- 11 in the previous two months, according to the Turkish Journalists’ Union
- Halk TV
- Turkey’s most-watched news channel, according to the Times of Israel and Straits Times
- Demonstration plans
- Organizers called for protests in ten cities, according to NOS
4 sources
'Vrije pers kun je niet censureren': duizenden Turken de straat op voor persvrijheid
"Regime will uns einschüchtern": Tausende Türken protestieren gegen Druck auf Medien
Thousands in Turkey rally against escalating crackdown on media
Thousands protest in Turkey over journalists’ arrests, media shutdowns
What people are saying
This gathering is not simply about standing up for journalists
It is also about defending respect for society’s right to access information and news through journalists and independent media
Journalists are determined to get one message across: we want to practise journalism, and we want to be able to do so freely
I will not be held in prison for any reason other than that I practise my profession as a journalist