This week, Turkish journalists Murat Ağırel and Fırat Can Arslan received death threats due to their reporting. Meanwhile, journalist Mehmet Güleş was acquitted at his first hearing. The head of Turkey’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) announced new licensing requirements for YouTube content creators, and several court cases related to press freedom continued as the new judicial year began.
Journalists face threats and legal pressure
On September 3, journalist Murat Ağırel was threatened with a video that claimed a contract had been taken out for his murder. The masked individual in the video said an execution order had been issued. Ağırel is known for his investigative reporting on corruption and government mismanagement.
In a separate incident, Mezopotamya Agency journalist Fırat Can Arslan also received death threats after publishing a report titled "Kars Municipality has become a family business: The city is run by Ülkü Ocakları," referring to a nationalist organization linked to the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Arslan reported receiving numerous threats from MHP members and Ülkü Ocakları affiliates after sharing the article on social media.
RTÜK introduces licensing requirement for YouTube broadcasters
RTÜK Chairman Ebubekir Şahin announced that YouTube channels conducting regular broadcasts would soon need to obtain a license. The regulation is expected to significantly impact journalists using YouTube as a platform. Licensed channels will have 72 hours to apply, and RTÜK will have the power to remove videos it deems inappropriate. Additionally, broadcasters must pay 1.5% of their revenues to RTÜK.
Legal actions continue over press freedom
On September 4, another investigation was launched concerning the book Menzil'in Kasası (The Treasury of Menzil), which explores the influence of the Menzil religious community. Eyüp Topal and Kemal Tığlı, members of the conservative business group TÜMSİAD, filed a complaint against the book’s author, BirGün journalist İsmail Arı, as well as the publisher and editor. Authorities have previously called for the book's confiscation and destruction, questioning the publisher about the book's production and Arı's identity.
Journalist acquitted and protests related to May Day
On September 5, journalist Mehmet Güleş was acquitted at his first hearing in Diyarbakır’s 4th High Criminal Court. He was charged with "terrorist propaganda" based on his social media posts, but the court ruled that the legal elements of the alleged crime were not present.
That same day, the last four detainees from the May Day protests were released. The group, including Gazete Patika reporter Ali Kadir Güler, had been charged with resisting police, illegal assembly, and damaging public property following their attempt to march from Saraçhane to Taksim Square. The court decided to release the four on condition that they remain in Turkey and report to authorities.
Other cases
On September 6, journalist Nurcan Yalçın, who transferred 400 Turkish Lira to a prisoner in Diyarbakır where journalist Kibriye Evren was also detained, now faces up to 10 years in prison for allegedly violating Turkey’s law on financing terrorism. Prosecutors argue that Yalçın’s actions contravened the Law on the Prevention of the Financing of Terrorism.
Additionally, lawyer Burhan Arta is facing up to 15 years in prison for alleged membership in a terrorist organization. The case, based on testimony from a confidential informant, is being heard in Diyarbakır’s 4th High Criminal Court, where the prosecutor has called for a conviction.
