Thousands demonstrated in Istanbul and Ankara on 24 October against pressure on independent journalism. Journalists, rights organisations and opposition representatives joined rallies demanding an end to censorship and the release of imprisoned media workers.
Arrests and closed newsrooms
The Turkish Journalists’ Union says eleven journalists have been jailed in the past two months and several outlets closed. Police put the gathering on Istanbul’s Asian side at around 3,000. A similar number attended the Ankara demonstration.
The immediate triggers
Recent interventions include a police raid on Halk TV, interruption of its broadcasts and the appointment of a state administrator. The blocking of T24’s website and social-media accounts has also sharpened concern over access to independent news.
A dispute extending beyond individual cases
The demonstrations follow years of prosecutions and digital restrictions after the failed coup attempt in 2016. Their focus is both the treatment of individual journalists and the ability of news organisations to operate without state interference. The archive photograph shows a separate solidarity protest from 2016, not today’s rallies.
