Türkiye: Crackdown on press freedom intensifies ahead of NATO summit

On 5 July, three journalists were detained in a new wave of countrywide police raids in Türkiye ahead of the NATO summit, which starts on 7 July. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) join their affiliates, DİSK Basın-İş, Türkiye Gazeteciler Sendikası (TGS), Türkiye Gazeteciler Cemiyeti (TGC) and Gazeteciler Cemiyeti, in calling for the immediate release of the detained journalists.

Turkish riot police operate as demonstrators take part in an anti-NATO gathering in Ankara, ahead of a NATO summit, on July 5, 2026. Credit: ADEM ALTAN / AFP

On 5 July, T24 journalist Buse Söğütlü, OdaTV journalist Ceren Erdoğdu and Nihaplus journalist and Bianet contributor Abbas Vural were detained in the second wave of pre-dawn police raids conducted in at least eight cities ahead of the NATO summit in Türkiye. They were denied the right to consult their lawyers for 24 hours.

On the same day, the country's Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) issued a warning to journalists, stating that coverage of the NATO summit in the press is being closely monitored and should align with the "national security perspective".

On 23 June, Yıldız Tar, editor-in-chief of the LGBTQ+ rights publication Kaos GL, was detained in the first wave of raids in Ankara. He was arrested on 25 June on charges of "membership of a terrorist organisation". The IFJ and the EFJ called for his immediate release.

Many independent news outlets and journalists in Türkiye, who were seeking to cover the 2026 NATO summit, were also denied media accreditation without explanation. On 26 June, the IFJ, EFJ and other press freedom organisations addressed a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, asking for an explanation and demanding that the denials be reconsidered.

DİSK Basın-İş stated: "We are once again calling for the immediate release of all journalists who have been detained. The pressure, threats and investigations targeting journalists must cease. The RTÜK's censorious and repressive practices must be brought to an end. Detained journalists must be released and barriers to accreditation must be removed. Freedom of the press and freedom of expression must be safeguarded in accordance with universal legal standards. Journalism cannot be silenced. The public's right to information cannot be obstructed."

In their statement, the TGC said: "It is unacceptable for journalists to be put under pressure and for attempts to be made to silence them through the threat of detention due to their news and commentary activities, which are conducted for the public good. Journalism is not a crime. We call on the authorities to act in accordance with the principles set forth in the Constitution and the Turkish Journalists' Rights and Responsibilities Declaration, and to cease obstructing press and freedom of expression."

In their statement, Gazeteciler Cemiyeti said: "It should not be forgotten that criticising NATO, protesting against the NATO summit or reporting on the summit are all simply the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed in a democratic society. No journalist may be detained for reporting the news and no media organisation may be subjected to pressure because of its reporting."

The IFJ and the EFJ stated: "We strongly condemn the recent crackdown on press freedom in Türkiye. The arbitrary detention and arrest of journalists, as well as intimidation and censorship, constitute blatant violations of journalists' rights and the public's right to information. We are calling for the immediate release of all detained journalists and for an end to the increased repression of press freedom in the country. Journalism is not a crime.