- MLSA and 17 organizations issued a statement opposing the detention of 12 individuals, including journalists and publishers.
- BirGün newspaper reporter Arı and Managing Editor Gökdemir are facing trial following a complaint by MHP MP Uysal and his spouse.
- In the high-profile Metastaz 2-Cendere case, involving prominent journalists, audio recordings alleging "judicial bribery" will be referred to the prosecution for further inquiry.
This week, trials concerning the press and freedom of expression continued in various cities, while pressures against journalists persisted. MLSA’s Trial Monitoring Unit observed 13 cases across 4 cities.
27 November, Wednesday
MLSA and 18 other free speech groups demand the immediate release of detained journalists in Turkey. On Nov. 26, the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), along with 18 other organizations, issued a statement condemning the detention of many journalists during operations carried out across Turkey. The groups called for the immediate release of the journalists and an end to what they described as violations of press freedom.
Journalists face defamation charges over report on alleged misconduct at Northern Cyprus University. The first hearing in the defamation trial of BirGün journalist İsmail Arı and BirGün.net managing editor Yaşar Gökdemir was held at Istanbul’s 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. The case stems from a report on allegations of fraudulent diplomas and corruption at the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KTSÜ), founded by Ece Uysal, the wife of MHP Mersin MP Levent Uysal.
28 November, Thursday
Journalists face ongoing trial over allegations of judicial bribery in the book Metastaz 2: Cendere. The trial of journalists linked to the book Metastaz 2: Cendere—which alleges bribery within the judiciary—continued at Istanbul’s 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. The court requested clarification from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on whether the controversial audio recordings referenced in the book had been examined.
Adnan Vural faces charges of "membership in a terrorist organization" and "propaganda" over peace statement participation. Adnan Vural, a former health worker dismissed by emergency decree (KHK) and a member of the Health and Social Service Workers' Union (SES) Ankara Branch, is on trial for his participation in a peace declaration organized by the White Flag Initiative. At the second hearing in Ankara’s 2nd High Criminal Court, the prosecutor demanded Vural’s conviction on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “spreading terrorist propaganda.”
MLSA hosts Turkish and Greek journalists in Istanbul for cross-border collaboration and media integrity. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural dialogue in Athens, the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) will host the Second Turkey-Greece Journalists Dialogue Platform from November 29 to December 1, 2024 in Istanbul. The event, supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), brings together journalists from both countries to continue their commitment to fostering media integrity, dismantling stereotypes, and advancing ethical journalism.
