IFJ demands immediate release of detained journalists amid growing crackdown in Turkey

BRUSSELS — The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) issued an urgent call for the immediate release of detained journalists in Turkey, highlighting the critical need to safeguard their professional rights in the face of mounting restrictions on press freedom.

Escalating Crackdown on Journalists

In a joint statement endorsed by 41 press organizations, the IFJ condemned the sharp rise in arbitrary arrests and legal actions targeting journalists in Turkey since the start of the year. The statement described these measures as a grave threat to press independence and urged the Turkish government to uphold justice and fundamental freedoms.

The IFJ emphasized the importance of releasing journalists detained without due process and reiterated the essential role of a free press in promoting public discourse and democracy.

A Surge in Arrests and Investigations

The appeal comes amid a worrying increase in journalist arrests, with at least nine detained in January alone. Among them, six have already been sentenced to prison, while five others remain in custody. Furthermore, 23 journalists are under active investigation, and one reporter was reportedly assaulted by police officers.

According to the 2024 Reporters Without Borders assessment, the Turkish government continues to erode press freedoms through widespread journalist detentions, internet censorship, and judicial constraints on media operations.