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Thousands protest in Turkey over journalist arrests

Published : Sunday, 25 October, 2026 at 11:34 AM

Observer Online Report

Collected Photo

Thousands of people took to the streets in Istanbul and Ankara on Saturday (October 24) to protest the mass arrest of journalists, closure of media outlets, and strict government restrictions on news broadcasts in Turkey.

Demonstrators gathered to demand press freedom and the immediate release of imprisoned media workers amid a widening crackdown on independent journalism.

According to a report by French news agency AFP, recent months have seen an alarming increase in defamation lawsuits, prison sentences for journalists, tighter digital censorship, and the appointment of government administrators to run independent media houses.

Police and organizers estimated that at least 3,000 people assembled across Istanbul and Ankara. Protesters carried portraits of detained journalists and chanted slogans such as "Our voices cannot be silenced" and "We will not bow to pressure."

Data from the Turkish Journalists' Union indicates that authorities have imprisoned 11 journalists and shut down several media outlets over the past two months alone. Previously, police raided the country's most-watched news channel, Halk TV, halting its broadcasts and appointing government-backed administrators.

Furthermore, the website and social media accounts of leading digital news platform T24 were blocked under allegations of "LGBT propaganda."

Participating in the protests, veteran journalist and columnist Zafer Arapkirli said, "This rally is not just about standing by journalists, but a fight to protect society's right to accurate information through a free press."

Turkish Journalists' Union President Gokhan Durmus accused the government of attempting to control the media and impose a single, monolithic voice on society.

During the rally in Ankara, a letter from imprisoned journalist Ismail Ari was read aloud. Writing from Sincan Prison, Ari stated that he was detained for no crime other than carrying out his journalistic duties. He urged everyone to protect journalism to the end and called for independent work environments guaranteed by the constitution.

Ismail Ari was arrested earlier this month for the second time in seven months following complaints by broadcasting regulatory chief Ebubekir Sahin, who accused him of insulting public officials and spreading misleading information.

-SA

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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