The 5-day broadcasting suspension imposed on TELE 1 comes into effect; journalist Can Taşkın jailed; indictment filed in LeMan investigation; RTÜK imposes license requirement on BirGün TV

The 5-day broadcasting suspension imposed on TELE 1 comes into effect

The five-day broadcasting suspension imposed on TELE 1 came into effect on 1 September.

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) had imposed a five-day broadcast suspension and a 5 percent administrative fine on TELE 1 for the “4 Soru 4 Yanıt” program, in which Merdan Yanardağ stated, “15 July was an Islamist coup attempt. The main culprit behind this coup is the AKP government.“ RTÜK had imposed penalties on the grounds of ”inciting hatred and hostility in society." The execution of the penalty, imposed on 24 July, was suspended by the Ankara 23rd Administrative Court on 5 August. However, RTÜK appealed this decision, which concluded with the court lifting the stay of execution order.

Journalist Can Taşkın imprisoned pending trial in Nevşehir for “spreading false information”

Can Taşkın, editor-in-chief of the local CT Haber newspaper in Nevşehir, was imprisoned pending trial on 2 September on the charge of “spreading false information” following his article on “extortion” allegations.

On 31 August, Taşkın wrote an article titled "Nevşehir’de Kimin Adıyla Haraç Kesiliyor?" (Who is Extorting Money in Nevşehir?) stating that money was being collected from businesspeople in the city using the names of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

In his article, Taşkın summarized that "businesspeople in Nevşehir are unable to pay their bills. Factories are struggling to pay their workers' wages. At a time like this, I should see the state supporting the business world, but I hear that some bureaucrats are collecting money with lists in their hands. What is worse is that this money is claimed to be requested with the approval of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and on the instructions of Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya!"

Indictment filed in investigation targeting satirical magazine LeMan’s employees

An indictment has been filed against six employees of satirical magazine LeMan in the investigation launched into allegations that the magazine caricatured the Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Moses.

In the indictment filed by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the magazine's Editor-in-Chief Zafer Aknar, Managing Director Ali Yavuz, graphic designer Cebrail Okçu, cartoonist Doğan Pehlevan, Managing Editor Aslan Özdemir, and Editor-in-Chief Mehmet Tuncay Akgün, who has an arrest warrant out for him, are charged with “inciting the public to hatred and hostility.”

The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation into LeMan magazine on its own initiative on the charge of “denigrating religious values” over a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad.

The magazine, however, had denied the cartoon was a depiction of the Prophet Muhammad and denounced claims to that effect as "malicious." In a statement posted on X, LeMan apologized to “well-intentioned readers who may have felt hurt” but added that the cartoon was intended to highlight the suffering of oppressed Muslims, specifically referencing victims of Israeli attacks. “The cartoonist wanted to portray the righteousness of oppressed Muslims by depicting a Muslim killed by Israel, and he never intended to insult religious values,” the magazine said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan denounced LeMan on 1 July, calling the cartoon a “disrespect” that is “absolutely unacceptable.” “What has been done under the guise of satire is clearly an incitement, a vile provocation,” he said. “Those who act arrogantly will be held accountable before the law. We will not allow anyone to insult our sacred values.”

As part of the investigation, the magazine's editor-in-chief Zafer Aknar, graphic designer Cebrail Okçu, and the director of the institution Ali Yavuz were imprisoned pending trial for "inciting the people to hatred and hostility," the owner of the cartoon Doğan Pehlevan was imprisoned pending trial for "inciting the people to hatred and hostility" and "insulting the president" on 2 July 2025.

Avrupa Demokrat news site banned for the 9th time

The news site “Avrupa Demokrat,” based in Germany and in operation for five years, has been banned by Turkey for the ninth time.

According to a statement made by the newspaper, the Ankara 4th Criminal Court of Peace blocked access to the site without giving any reason or issuing any explanation. In accordance with the request of the same court, the X account of the news site was also banned in Turkey. Regarding this matter, X headquarters announced in writing that the account had been blocked in Turkey.

RTÜK gives BirGün TV 72 hours to obtain a license

In a decision taken by majority vote, RTÜK gave BirGün TV, which began its new broadcast period four days ago, 72 hours to obtain a license. If no application is made within this period, RTÜK will request access restrictions for BirGün TV.

İbrahim Aydın, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BirGün, stated in his statement on the matter that they would appeal the decision, saying, “We are more determined than ever.”

Indictment filed against imprisoned journalist Furkan Karabay

The indictment has been filed against journalist Furkan Karabay, who has been in pre-trial detention for 114 days on charges of “insulting the president” and “marking those assigned with the fight against terrorism as target” over statements made on a YouTube channel and social media posts.

The indictment, filed by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Terrorism Crimes Investigation Bureau, requested that Karabay be punished for the crimes of “insulting the President,” “targeting individuals involved in counter-terrorism efforts,” and “insulting a public official.”

Karabay was detained on 15 May on the grounds of the posts in question and was sent to pre-trial detention on the same day on charges of “marking those assigned with the fight against terrorism as target” and “insulting the president.”

Metin Yoksu gives statement at police station

Journalist Metin Yoksu gave a statement at a police station on 4 September following a prosecutor's order, due to an investigation opened against him.

Yoksu, who gave a statement as part of an investigation launched by the Batman Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, noted that he did not know what the charges were but that he was accused because of his news reports and social media posts.

Access blocked to Yeni Yaşam newspaper's X account

Access to Yeni Yaşam newspaper's X account has been blocked for the third time.

The newspaper's new X account has been announced as https://x.com/gazeteyeniyasam.

At least 33 journalists and media workers behind bars in Turkey

Following the imprisonment of journalist Can Taşkın, as of 5 September 2025, there are at least 33 journalists and media workers in prison in Turkey, either in pre-trial detention or serving a finalized sentence.

The full list can be accessed here.