RTÜK imposes heavy penalties on TV channels reporting on protests; scores of journalists arrested for covering İmamoğlu protests; X applies to top court against BTK’s decision to block 126 accounts; Tunca Öğreten and Murat Baykara acquitted

RTÜK imposes heavy fines, broadcast bans on TV channels reporting on protests

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) issued administrative fines and temporary broadcast bans of up to 10 days on television channels covering the nationwide protests that were sparked by the arrest last week of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, just before his formal nomination as a candidate for president.

RTÜK decision to fine Halk TV, SZC TV, Tele1 and NOW TV came days after a statement by RTÜK Chairman Ebubekir Şahin, warning broadcasters to make sure their reporting "remain free from political bias" or face maximum penalties, including the revocation of their licenses.

“It should be known that no matter which channel; if it commits lawlessness, acts unlawfully, censors state institutions and employees, ignores all warnings about broadcasting manipulative images and news, and prevents the public's freedom of information, the necessary administrative sanctions will be applied at the highest limit within the scope of the law,” Şahin said on social media.

On 27 March, RTÜK issued administrative fines of up to 5 percent of their monthly revenues and broadcast suspensions. SZC TV was given a record high 10-day broadcast suspension for "inciting people to hatred and enmity" during its broadcasts from protests while Halk TV and Tele1 were each issued five program suspensions on the same grounds. NOW TV was given an administrative fine of 2 percent of its monthly revenues for airing comments challenging the lawfulness of İmamoğlu's prosecution.

Scores of journalists arrested for covering İmamoğlu protests

At least 14 journalists covering protests against the arrest and subsequent imprisonment of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu were arrested in İstanbul and İzmir. Seven of the journalists arrested in İstanbul were imprisoned pending trial for violating the law on protests but were released after two days in detention.

Among the 14 journalists were BBC correspondent Mark Lowen, who had traveled to İstanbul to report on the protests, the largest in at least a decade. Lowen was taken from his hotel room on 26 March and kept in detention for 17 hours before being deported for "being a threat to public order," according to a statement from BBC.

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Evrensel reporter Nisa Sude Demirel and ETHA reporter Elif Bayburt detained

Evrensel newspaper reporter Nisa Sude Demirel and ETHA reporter Elif Bayburt, who were covering the Saraçhane protests and university boycotts, were detained in the morning hours of 28 March.

The journalists were taken to İstanbul Security Directorate Anti-Terror Branch Directorate in Vatan Street.

İrem Afşin detained from airplane

Journalist İrem Afşin was detained on 27 March as the plane landed from İstanbul to Bodrum.

Afşin, who was released for 24 hours to give a statement to the Criminal Judge of Peace on the same day, stated that she was detained after her neighbor in Bodrum, against whom she had obtained a restraining order for assault and threats, filed a complaint against her to the anti-terrorist police.

Journalist and translator Çiğdem Öztürk detained

Seven people, including journalist and translator Çiğdem Öztürk, were detained in Ayvalık on 27 March.

Öztürk and six others were referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on 28 March 28 with a request for pre-trial detention.

Judicial control measure against Can Ataklı

The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation on suspicion of “spreading false information” into journalist Can Ataklı's claim that “Devlet Bahçeli was intubated,” which was shared on his Youtube channel and some social media accounts on 25 March.

On 27 March, Ataklı went to the İstanbul Courthouse to testify.

After giving his statement to the prosecutor, Ataklı was referred to the criminal judgeship on duty with a request for a ban on leaving the country. The judge ruled to impose judicial control measures on Ataklı, including a “checking in police station on regular basis” and a “ban on leaving the country.”

Ataklı had written about MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, who has not appeared in front of the cameras for about eight weeks following a heart valve operation he underwent on 4 February, “He was discharged, but this time he fell down while getting out of bed to walk and broke his hip bone. Bahçeli was taken to intensive care, but due to the effects of the surgery and other health problems, he entered a vegetative state and was intubated.”

Ataklı had said he had obtained this information from “MHP sources.”

Bianet's X account blocked

Following the detention of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on 19 March, access to X accounts on social media continues to be blocked. Bianet's X account was also blocked.

The Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) announced in a statement that bianet was censored on the grounds of “protection of national security and public order.”

X applies to the Constitutional Court against BTK’s decision to block 126 accounts

X filed an individual application with the Constitutional Court (AYM) against the Information and Communication Technologies Authority's (BTK) order to block 126 accounts.

“Yesterday, we filed an individual application to the Constitutional Court against the Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority's order to block 126 accounts in Turkey, including Metin Cihan, Artı Gerçek, Hayko Baghdad and others. X is committed to protecting its users' rights to freedom of expression globally, and we will continue to use all available legal means to defend our users' freedom of expression,” the statement said.

Gözde Şeker receives threat on phone

Journalist Gözde Şeker revealed in a social media post on her X account on 25 March that she was threatened by a phone call.

Şeker said the following in her post: “I am writing so that no one thinks they can intimidate journalists; together with my lawyer, I have filed a criminal complaint with the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the person who called me from a pay phone to 'warn' me to be careful with my publications and said that I had 'made enemies.' Journalists who have no other concern than doing their job do not pay attention to threats and continue to do their job.”

Prosecutor demands sentencing for Sinan Aygül

The third hearing in the trial of Bitlis Journalists' Association President Sinan Aygül and his brother Ahmet Aygül for “threatening” Tatvan Mayor Mehmet Emin Geylani's two bodyguards, one of whom was a police officer, who attacked him, was held at the Tatvan 3rd Criminal Court of First Instance on 27 March 2025.

Sinan Aygül and Ahmet Aygül, who are free pending trial, and their lawyers were present at the hearing.

In their final opinion, the prosecutor requested Sinan Aygül to be sentenced for “threat” and Ahmet Aygül to be sentenced for “threat” and “insult.”

The lawyers of the defendants asked for more time to make a defense against the final opinion. The court accepted this request and adjourned the trial until 17 April 2025.

Three journalists given prison term for covering trustee protests

The 13th hearing in the trial of journalists Taylan Özgür Öztaş, Tunahan Turhan and Vedat Örüç and 34 other defendants on the charge of “violating the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations” was held at the Anadolu 76th Criminal Court of First Instance on 25 March 2025.

Lawyers for the defendants attended the hearing.

The court found journalists Vedat Örüç, Tunahan Turhan, Taylan Öztaş and 34 others guilty of “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations” and sentenced them to 5 months in prison, and deferred the sentence. The defendants were acquitted of “resisting to prevent the execution of duty” due to the lack of conclusive and convincing evidence that they committed the impugned crime.

The journalists were on trial for covering a demonstration in Kadıköy on 20 August 2019 to protest the appointment of trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van metropolitan municipalities.

Journalists Tunca Öğreten and Murat Baykara acquitted

The second hearing in the trial of journalists Tunca Öğreten and Murat Baykara on charges of “encouraging the use of drugs or stimulants” and “not reporting a crime” over the documentary “Met Çıkmazı” (Meth deadend) was held at the Bakırköy 13th Criminal Court of First Instance on 25 March 2025.

Tunca Öğreten and Murat Baykara and their lawyers were present at the hearing, which was monitored by P24.

Presenting their final opinion on the case, the prosecutor stated that Öğreten and Baykara acted with the motive of journalism and made documentaries within the scope of the freedom inform the public, therefore the elements of the impugned crime did not occur. The prosecutor asked for the acquittal of the journalists, stating that the crimes of “encouraging the use of drugs or stimulants” and “not reporting a crime” are offenses that can be committed intentionally and cannot be committed with probable intent or negligence.

The court acquitted Öğreten and Baykara separately on both charges, as the legal elements of the impugned crime did not form.

At least 34 journalists and media workers in prison

As of 28 March 2025, there are at least 34 journalists and media workers in pre-trial detention or imprisonment in Turkey.

The full list can be accessed here.