Monthly Bulletin February 2026
MLSA Newsletter
Media and Law Studies Association · Press Freedom & Rule of Law
Issue: February 2026 Rule of Law & Press Freedom mlsaturkey.com
February 2026 Highlights
This month, MLSA advanced key strategic litigation, defended journalists and writers, strengthened international dialogue, and amplified rights-based reporting through MLSA TV—alongside broad press coverage.
Strategic litigation, acquittals, and rights-based defense
In the case of Osman Kavala before the European Court, a leave to intervene by MLSA Legal Unit was accepted. MLSA warned that the systematic undermining of ECHR rulings reflects a deepening structural problem beyond an individual violation.
Read more
A lawsuit filed by MLSA resulted in the lifting of the ban on the Kurdish film
Rojbash, marking a significant legal victory for artistic freedom.
Read more
Prison visits: MLSA visited imprisoned ETHA reporters and declared, "The socialist press will not be silenced," reaffirming solidarity with jailed journalists.
Read more MLSA will be representing jailed ETHA reporter Pınar Gayıp.
In the courtroom: In the trial of journalist Yıldız Tar, the court rejected two requests, keeping judicial control in place and allowing armed police in the courtroom.
Read more
Writer Gökhan Yavuzel, represented by MLSA, was acquitted in both cases where he faced charges of "insulting the President" over social media posts and YouTube remarks.
Read more
In other news: MLSA-defended journalist İnan Ketenciler was acquitted following a Constitutional Court violation ruling, ending a prolonged legal battle.
Read more
The court released the reasoned acquittal decision in journalist Elif Akgül's case, stressing that participation in demonstrations and press statements alone cannot constitute membership in an organization.
Read more
High court rulings: In the "French agent" news story case, the Constitutional Court found a rights violation in journalist Bülent Kılıç's individual application filed with MLSA representation.
Read more
In February 2026, the MLSA Trial Monitoring Unit observed 37 hearings concerning freedom of expression and press freedom, in which at least 364 individuals appeared before a judge. During this period, courts issued 2 acquittals and 2 convictions. The hearings were marked by short sessions, repeated adjournments, delays, courtroom capacity issues, interventions in the defense, and in some cases police presence.
In February, courtroom capacity posed serious problems, particularly in cases with multiple defendants. Interventions in the defense were recorded in some files, and the presence of law enforcement drew attention in several hearings. Increased security measures in collective and politically sensitive cases contributed to a perception of a restrictive and pressurized courtroom atmosphere.
The February data show that problems concerning the right to a fair trial are not isolated incidents but have become a continuous practice. Read more
Civic space, coalition action, and press freedom calls
"
We stand side by side for LGBTİ+ rights
MLSA joined 162 other organizations in a joint statement opposing draft laws targeting LGBTİ+ individuals. Read more →
MLSA took part in the Council of Europe's Civil Space Conference "Shaping Democratic Renewal" on February 2–3, 2026, in Strasbourg. Head of our Legal Unit Emine Özhasar joined discussions on civic space in Europe, legal pressures on civil society, and digital risks.
Read more
MLSA and several press freedom organizations called for the immediate release of ETHA journalists Pınar Gayıp, Nadiye Gürbüz, and Elif Bayburt, emphasizing the need to safeguard freedom of expression and press freedom.
Read more
Diplomatic engagement for rule of law
On 19 February 2026, MLSA Co-Director Veysel Ok met with the Ambassador of France to Türkiye, Isabelle Dumont, to discuss the rule of law, recent democratic developments, and the current state of Türkiye–EU relations.
February episodes & commentary
All Çetele episodes on MLSATV YouTube with auto-translation.
01
Özcan Küçük said
Rojbash was banned because it is in Kurdish.
Watch episode →
02
Journalist Ercüment Akdeniz shared his ordeal of being tried for terror membership as a "practice of punishment."
Watch episode →
03
Lawyer Serhat Çakmak argued that wiretaps without a legal basis constitute unlawful evidence and violate fundamental rights.
Watch episode →
04
Journalist Furkan Karabay spoke about the judicial processes he currently faces.
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