In a troubling crackdown on press freedom, journalists critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are being systematically targeted in Turkey. Those who expose corruption, injustice, and government restrictions face detentions, imprisonment, and even violence.
Opposition-Aligned Journalists in Custody
The latest wave of arrests includes producers from Halk TV, a station closely associated with the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP). Serhan Asker, Seda Selek, and Barış Pehlivan were taken into custody, while prominent journalist Şirin Payzın is under investigation.
Commenting on the arrests, CHP Istanbul Chairperson Özgür Çelik issued a stark warning:
“Turkey is now officially governed by fascism. This is fascism, plain and simple.”
Arrests and Investigations Continue
Journalists protesting the killings of reporters Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin in Syria have also faced legal action. On December 22, several reporters were arrested, including:
• Gülistan Dursun
• Hayri Tunç
• Enes Sezgin (Yeni Yaşam Newspaper)
• Osman Akın
• Can Papila
• Pınar Gayıp (ETHA correspondent)
• Serpil Ünal (Mücadele Birliği Newspaper)
In addition, journalists Seyhan Avşar, Ahmet Doğan Akın, and Candan Yıldız are under investigation for social media posts regarding Daştan and Bilgin.
A Threat to Press Freedom
This wave of arrests reflects a broader crackdown on press freedom in Turkey, where dissenting voices face increasing persecution. Media outlets and journalists aligned with opposition movements are being silenced, raising alarms about the state of democracy and freedom of expression in the country.
As the international community watches, concerns grow over Turkey’s slide into authoritarianism and its treatment of journalists who dare to hold power to account.
