IPI and partner organizations call for action as press freedom violations surge in Turkey in 2025
The International Press Institute (IPI), together with undersigned press freedom, freedom of expression, human rights, and journalists’ organizations, and media outlets, expresses serious concern over the recent escalation of press freedom violations in Turkey, marking a troubling start to the new year. The frequent use of arbitrary arrests, detentions, judicial control measures, and convictions poses an […]
IPI condemns media coverage restrictions following Bolu hotel fire
The International Press Institute (IPI) strongly condemns the Turkish authorities’ media coverage restrictions following the devastating hotel fire in Bolu, which erupted in the early morning hours of January 20, 2025, claiming at least 79 lives. The next day, Turkey’s broadcast regulator issued comprehensive directives that significantly limited the ability of the media to cover the tragedy. It is crucial that media organizations […]
IPI announces Scott Griffen as new executive director
The International Press Institute (IPI) today announced Scott Griffen as its new executive director. Griffen has been the organization’s interim director since June 2024. Griffen’s appointment comes at an increasingly perilous time for press freedom and independent journalism worldwide, IPI Executive Board Chair Márton Gergely said. “As we start the year 2025, IPI’s work has […]
Turkey: Journalist Nevşin Mengü faces judicial harassment and online smear campaign over interview
On December 13, prominent independent journalist and IPI Turkey National Committee member Nevşin Mengü published an interview on her YouTube channel with Salih Müslim, an executive of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), a Syrian Kurdish group that Turkey designates as a “terrorist organization.” Shortly after the interview was uploaded, Mengü announced on her social media […]
Joint letter to European Commission President: EU should oppose Türkiye’s “agent of influence” bill
Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission CC: Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice President of the European Commission CC: Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement CC: Thomas Ossowski, EU Ambassador to Türkiye Open Letter to the European CommissionRe: Urgent Need for EU Action to Oppose […]
IPI joins MLSA and other press freedom organisations to call for release of detained journalists
International Press Institute (IPI), Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) and the undersigned press freedom and human rights organizations are deeply concerned about the detention of seven journalists in Turkey on November 26, 2024. We urgently call for their immediate release. Journalists Roza Metina (Jinnews Kurdish editor and president of the Mesopotamian Women Journalists Association), Ahmet […]
Press freedom mission urges Turkey to immediately withdraw law labeling critics as spies
Media freedom groups today called on Turkey’s government to fully withdraw the amendments to the espionage act currently before parliament. The proposed bill would enable judges to increase sentences by up to seven years for any conviction, if the crime is ruled to have been committed against ‘the political interests of the state’ when acting […]
IPI joins MLSA and five press freedom organizations to call for the end of Furkan Karabay’s detention
10Haber reporter Furkan Karabay was detained on November 8, 2024, following his reporting and social media posts regarding the investigation into Ahmet Özer, mayor of Istanbul’s Esenyurt district, who was arrested and replaced by a trustee on October 30, 2024. Karabay faces charges of “targeting a public official,” “insulting a public official,” and “publicly disseminating […]
IPI urges Turkey to withdraw ‘agents of influence’ bill ahead of parliamentary vote
The International Press Institute (IPI) expresses profound concern regarding the recently introduced “agents of influence” bill, commonly referred to as the “foreign agent” bill, in Turkey. The bill, which was introduced by the AKP parliamentary group as part of an omnibus bill, poses a significant threat to civil society, media freedoms, and the fundamental right […]
Press freedom and freedom of expression groups, media outlets and civil society condemn regulator’s decision to shutter Açık Radyo
The International Press Institute (IPI), together with 66 undersigned press freedom and freedom of expression groups, media outlets and civil society organizations, condemns the official revocation of the terrestrial broadcasting license of independent radio station Açık Radyo by Turkey’s broadcast regulator RTÜK (Radio and Television Supreme Council). This action marks a severe blow to independent radio […]
