Deniz Tekin
The Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) and the Mesopotamia Women Journalists Association (MKG) held a press conference in Diyarbakır to highlight increasing pressure on journalists and media organizations in Turkey. The groups noted that two journalists have been killed and 15 detained in recent months, reflecting what they described as systematic repression of press freedom, particularly targeting Kurdish journalists.
The statement, read in Turkish by DFG Co-Chair Selman Çiçek and in Kurdish by MKG Chair Roza Metina, was delivered outside the AZC Plaza in Diyarbakır’s Ofis neighborhood. It was attended by numerous journalists, representatives from the Turkish Journalists’ Union (TGS), the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), DISK Press Workers Union, lawmakers from the DEM Party, and members of civil society organizations. However, police used riot shields to block journalists from filming the event.
Crackdown on Kurdish journalists intensifies
The press statement emphasized the ongoing crackdown on press freedom in Turkey, stating, “While all journalists face significant pressure, workers in the Free Press and Kurdish journalists feel this twice as heavily. Once again, Turkey has become a prison for Kurdish journalists, as new arrests are added to the list of those already detained.”
The groups drew attention to the recent killings of journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin in Northern and Eastern Syria by drone strikes, as well as the detention of journalists protesting their deaths in Istanbul. On Dec. 22, 2024, reporters Gülistan Dursun, Hayri Tunç, Enes Sezgin, Osman Akın, Can Papila, Pınar Gayıp, and Serpil Ünal were detained during a protest.
Further arrests followed on Jan. 17, 2025, during home raids in multiple provinces as part of an Istanbul-led investigation. Among those detained were journalists Necla Demir, Rahime Karvar, Ahmet Güneş, Welat Ekin, Vedat Örüç, Reyhan Hacıoğlu, and Eylem Babayiğit. Züleyha Müldür, a reporter for Etkin News Agency, was also detained on Jan. 25 in a separate investigation.
Additionally, investigations have been launched against journalists Seyhan Avşar, Ahmet Doğan Akın, and Candan Yıldız for their social media posts referencing the deaths of Daştan and Bilgin. Meanwhile, Jin News editor Sofya Alağaş was recently sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison for her journalistic activities.
Media censorship and access blocks
The statement also condemned the government’s systematic censorship of media outlets, including bans on access to certain news stories and platforms. Social media accounts of outlets such as Yeni Yaşam, Jin News, and Mezopotamya Agency have been blocked during this period. The associations argued that these actions are clear attempts to silence critical journalism.
The groups further emphasized the critical role of a free press in democracy, stating, “The repression of journalists shows how far democracy in this country has deteriorated. Without press freedom, there can be no freedom for society or true democracy. We will continue to speak the truth and serve as the voice of the people. We will not give up this fight until all imprisoned journalists are released, and this policy of repression ends.”
Police intervention disrupts press conference
During the press conference, when the names of journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin were mentioned, police raised the volume of their megaphone and issued a warning, stating, “The degradation of the institutions of the Republic of Turkey and terrorist propaganda will not be permitted.” Police then intervened, positioning riot shields between reporters and the attendees to block journalists from recording the event.
Akça honors fallen journalists
DEM Party lawmaker Ceylan Akça addressed the crowd, commemorating journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. “I remember with respect the journalists who honorably pursued this profession and were killed for it—Gülistan Tara, Hero Bahadin, Cihan Bilgin, and Nazım Daştan,” Akça said. “I also pay tribute to the Anadolu Agency reporter killed by Israel and the Arab journalist murdered while documenting crimes against humanity in Palestine. Journalism is never a crime.”
