Merdan Yanardağ imprisoned pending trial, top court rules Neşe İdil's rights violated; four journalists assaulted in Aydın while covering car accident; former AKP Deputy Daniş appointed as new head of Turkey’s media regulator

Crackdown on TELE1: Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardağ imprisoned, channel seized by state trustee

Merdan Yanardağ, a prominent journalist and editor-in-chief of the independent broadcaster TELE1, was imprisoned pending trial on 27 October 2025 as part of a high-profile investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation also implicates Ekrem İmamoğlu, the jailed mayor of Istanbul, and his campaign director Necati Özkan. The court issued arrest warrants for both within the scope of this new investigation, although they have been behind bars since 19 March on corruption charges related to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality probe.

On the other hand, employees at TELE 1 issued a joint statement that was read by Anchorman Murat Taylan on behalf of the journalists on 31 October. Taylan announced that TELE1 employees collectively resigned.

On 24 October, only a few hours after Yanardağ’s detention, the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), a state body authorized to take over bankrupt companies or entities accused of criminal activity, was appointed as trustee to ABC Radio Television and Digital Broadcasting Inc., the parent company of TELE1. The timing of the decision sparked widespread controversy, as Yanardağ had not yet been brought before the prosecutor or a judge.

The appointed trustee, İbrahim Paşalı, is a bureaucrat and former columnist for Milli Gazete and Yeni Şafak more than a decade ago. Paşalı has previously been assigned to manage other seized media outlets, including Flash Haber and the Habertürk/Show TV group, formerly owned by Can Holding. Following the appointment, many TELE1 journalists announced their resignation in protest.

An outspoken critic of the government, Yanardağ founded TELE1 in 2017, establishing it as one of the few remaining independent television channels outside the government’s extensive media control.

The investigation is based on testimonies provided by Hüseyin Gün, a businessperson accused of maintaining contacts with foreign intelligence services. Prosecutors allege that Gün collected data to support İmamoğlu’s adviser Necati Özkan during the 2019 local election campaign, allegedly in coordination with foreign intelligence. However, journalists who reviewed the prosecution files argue that neither the campaign’s use of Gün’s services nor his purported links with intelligence agencies have been substantiated by evidence.

İmamoğlu won the 31 March 2019 local elections by a margin of 14,000 votes against Binali Yıldırım, the candidate of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and former prime minister. The Supreme Electoral Board later annulled the results and ordered a re-run, held on 23 June 2019, in which İmamoğlu expanded his lead to over 800,000 votes.

Top court rules Neşe İdil's rights violated

The Constitutional Court ruled that the 1 year and 3 month prison sentence imposed on journalist Neşe İdil violated her right to a fair trial.

A case was brought against İdil in 2023 on the charge of “terrorism propaganda,” citing her social media posts as grounds. At the final hearing held at the Istanbul 22nd High Criminal Court on 20 February 2024, the court sentenced İdil to 1 year and 3 months in prison and deferred the sentence. An appeal was filed against the decision, and after the appeal was rejected, the case was referred to the Constitutional Court.

The Constitutional Court ruled that Neşe İdil's right to a fair trial had been violated and decided to send the case back to the Istanbul 22nd High Criminal Court for retrial.

Four journalists assaulted in Aydın while covering car accident

Four journalists covering a traffic accident in the Aydın province were assaulted by relatives of the victims at the scene. One journalist was hospitalized as a result.

Abdurrahman Fırat, Uğur Eser, Aziz Özden, and Yusuf Konrat were attacked while attempting to report on an accident that occurred on 25 October in Aydın’s Efeler district. Fırat was taken to the hospital by ambulance, while the other journalists sought medical attention on their own.

After receiving medical reports documenting the assault, the journalists filed a criminal complaint at the Efeler Police Station.

Former AKP Deputy Daniş appointed as new head of Turkey’s media regulator

The chairmanship of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has passed from Ebubekir Şahin to former ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy Mehmet Daniş. The new term officially began with a handover ceremony held at RTÜK headquarters on 27 October. Şahin, recently appointed to the Board of Directors of Türk Telekom, formally transferred his duties to Daniş during the event.

In recent years, RTÜK has become a focal point of controversy, drawing criticism for issuing increasing fines against independent broadcasters covering the opposition or featuring outspoken government critics. The council has also been accused of attempting to enforce conservative moral standards by penalizing television series deemed “contrary to national and moral values.” In addition, RTÜK has expanded its licensing authority to include digital platforms and news channels broadcasting on YouTube.

In his first speech as chair, Mehmet Daniş stated that the government’s declaration of 2025 as the “Year of the Family” heightened RTÜK’s responsibilities. “We will continue to work with determination to protect the institution of the family, strengthen the media’s ethical responsibility in combating violence against women, and safeguard our children from the risks of the digital age,” Daniş said.

His remarks come as a draft law that would criminalize the “promotion of homosexuality” and significantly restrict LGBTI+ rights is set to be debated in Parliament as part of the 11th Judicial Package.

Reporter sued for ‘spreading false information’ over high school entrance exam controversy

A lawsuit has been filed against journalist Can Uğur on charges of “spreading false information” over his report on allegations that high school entrance exam questions were stolen.

The report raised concerns about exam security and included an official statement from the Ministry of National Education. Following public debate, Minister Yusuf Tekin acknowledged that some questions had been shared “through unofficial channels” before the scheduled time, but argued that this did not constitute a breach significant enough to compromise the integrity of the exam.

Uğur is being tried over a news article published by Cumhuriyet on 17 June 2025, titled: “1 milyon öğrencinin kaderiyle mi oynandı? LGS soruları sınav bitmeden WhatsApp grubunda paylaşıldı iddiası” (“Was the fate of 1 million students gambled with? Allegations that LGS questions were shared in a WhatsApp group before the exam ended”).

The first hearing is scheduled for 13 January 2026 at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.

Journalist İbrahim Türk subjected to police intervention while covering news

Journalist İbrahim Türk was prevented by police from filming while covering the 11th Judicial Package protest in Ankara on 28 October. Despite showing his international press card, police used force against Türk, grabbing him by the throat.

In a statement, DİSK-Basın İş said, “While an international press card or institutional card should be a guarantee protecting a journalist, today we see that, unfortunately, in some cases, journalists presenting their cards can become targets. We condemn this attack in the strongest terms and appeal to the conscience of the entire public,” demanding that an investigation be launched immediately.

At least 29 journalists and media workers behind bars in Turkey

Following the imprisonment of Merdan Yanardağ, as of 31 October 2025, there are at least 29 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.