Women Journalists in Turkey
Timeline of Legal Harassment and State Persecution
As of August 9, 2021, the Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) has recorded 181 cases of violations against women journalists in Turkey. The Turkish state has routinely weaponized its judiciary as well as its law enforcement agencies to target the journalist community in the country. From January 2021 to August 2021, at least 84 women have faced legal persecution while 48 have been assaulted in the field by either the police force or supporters of the state. Women journalists have also been targeted digitally, through organized online harassment campaigns to bullying through state media channels. The CFWIJ has curated the following timeline to contextualize the extent of political challenges women journalists in Turkey currently confront.
2021
January 5
Jin News reporters Habibe Eren, Öznur Değer and journalist Eylül Deniz Yaşar were detained while following the women's demonstration in Ankara. Three journalists were released after their testimony was taken.
January 6
At the fourth hearing of the case against OdaTV News Director Müyesser Yıldız, the court sentenced Müyesser to three years, seven months and ten days in prison over charges of "disclosing information that should remain confidential for the security or benefits of the state" and "providing information on the security of the state".
January 7
Journalist Ayten Akgün was sentenced to 11 months in prison over the charge of "insulting the President”. Ayten, who shared coverage about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on her Twitter account, was sued for insulting Erdoğan as per the prosecutor's indictment.
January 11
The second hearing of the case filed against Olcay Büyüktaş Akça, the senior editor of Cumhuriyet Newspaper was postponed, due to the pending possible indictment to reach the court. The journalist faced terrorism charges for the news aired about the Ankara massacre of October 10, 2015.
January 13
An investigation was launched against Melis Alphan in November for a photo she shared from the Newroz event in Diyarbakır about six years ago. Melis, who stated the prosecutor, announced that an investigation was conducted against her allegedly for spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization due to the photo she posted on social media. The journalist faced up to seven years in prison.
January 14
An investigation was launched against Dicle Müftüoğlu, editor of the Mesopotamia Agency (MA), with the allegation of spreading propaganda for an organization of her social media posts.
January 15
The trial against journalist Ruken Demir was postponed for the fourth time in İzmir, due to the request of examining the digital materials of her. The journalist was charged with being affiliated with an illegal organization due to her interviews.
January 15
Etkin News Agency (ETHA) reporter Pınar Gayıp was detained as part of an investigation in İzmir conducted against the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP).
January 18
Pınar Gayıp was released after three-day detention conditionally on a house arrest. She was accused of spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization.
January 20
The first hearing of the trial against Yeni Yaşam Newspaper editor Hatice Şahin on charges of being affiliated with an armed organization was held at the Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court. The court adjourned the hearing to March 24 to hear all witnesses in the case.
January 20
The fifth hearing of the case against Cumhuriyet’s reporter Hazal Ocak took place in İstanbul. The court postponed the session for the verdict on January 26, 2021.
January 21
The second hearing of the trial against the Jiyan News managing editor Sonya Bayık was held in Batman. She was detained for covering the protest held in Hasankeyf two years ago and released on charges of "violating the laws of marches".
January 25
The trial against journalist Durket Süren was postponed for the fifth time in Diyarbakır. Durket faces charges of being affiliated with a terrorist organization, knowingly and willingly aiding an organization and spreading propaganda for an organization. The case was adjourned once again, regarding the report requested by the court a year ago that was still not included in the case file.
January 26
The fourth hearing of the trial against journalist Derya Okatan for the "insult" charges was postponed to a further date due to the judge's leave.
January 28
The investigation launched against the Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporter Zeynep Durgut was dismissed by the prosecutor. As part of the investigation initiated by the Cizre Chief Public Prosecutor's Office determined that the images of the journalist’s camera did not constitute a crime.
February 1
The second hearing of the trial against Canan Kaya, the editor-in-chief for online news website Medya Koridoru, was once again adjourned. The court ruled to complete the missing documents in the case-file and postponed the trial to April 1, 2021.
February 3
Elif Akgül, Board Member of The Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), was physically assaulted by the police force while following student protest against the appointment of Prof. Dr. Melih Bulu as the new rector of Bogazici University by the Turkish Presidency in Kadıköy.
February 3
The third hearing of the trial against Evrensel columnist Ceren Sözeri because of her news story titled “Who made AKP lose votes?” was held on this day. The court ruled to add heirs of recently deceased Evrensel newspaper proprietor to the case and notify them by sending a formal invite including petitions of both parties. The trial was adjourned to July 14, 2021.
February 4
Police intervened in the press briefing of the United Struggle Forces (BMG) establishment. Two female journalists were detained while following the press briefing. While Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporter Rojin Altay was released on the same day, the detention period of reporter Zarife Çamalan from Alınteri Newspaper was extended. Zarife was released conditionally after four-day detention.
February 8
Evrensel Newspaper columnist Ayşen Şahin was detained during the 8 March Women's Platform meeting and taken to the police station in İstanbul. Her social media posts were cited as a reason for her detention. The journalist was charged with "inciting the public to hatred and hostility". Ayşen was released shortly after her statement.
February 9
Journalist Hatice Kamer was being tried with a sentence of up to seven years on charges of spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization over her journalistic coverages she posted on her social media account six years ago. Hatice was acquitted in the first hearing of the trial which was held in Diyarbakır.
February 10
The first hearing of the trial against Democrat-News editor Selda Manduz was held at Kars 2nd High Criminal Court. Selda faces the charge of being a member of an armed terrorist organization. The court adjourned the trial until March 9, 2021, requesting review reports of HTS records and digital materials. The journalist faced up to 15 years in prison.
February 11
Journalists Semiha Şahin and Pınar Gayıp are still on trial. Journalists Semiha Şahin and Pınar Gayıp are still on trial. Their case was postponed for the 12th time. The two journalists are facing charges of being a member of an armed terrorist organisation and spreading propaganda for a terrorist organisation. The accusations were formed as a result of social media activity and the fact that they participated in a protest to cover it. Semiha and Pınar are facing up to 23 years in prison.
The 13th hearing of the trial against journalist Meşale Tolu was held in İstanbul. The journalist faces charges of being affiliated with a terrorist organisation. The court today gave defence lawyers a month to examine the expert report and present their response. The next hearing was adjourned until September 16-17, 2021. The verdict is expected to be announced at the next hearing.
The third hearing of the case against journalist Melike Aydın was held at the Izmir 2nd High Criminal Court. The journalist was being tried for the phone calls she made with her sources and the book named "Purple Color of Kurdish Politics" which was seized as evidence during the police raid on her house. She was facing up to 15 years of sentence in prison.
The second hearing of the case against columnist Nagehan Alçı was held at the İstanbul 2nd Court of First Instance. The journalist is being sued for her article titled "Minister of Justice's reaction to that embarrassing decision" published in Habertürk in June 2018. However, the case was subsequently postponed to March 10, 2021, after Nagehan’s defence.
February 13
Habertürk sports presenter Hande Sarıoğlu had to resign as a result of the pressure she faced after the dance video she shared on her social media.
February 16
The eighth hearing of the trial against 22 journalists who were beaten and detained during the police raid against Özgür Gündem Newspaper in 2016, was again adjourned for the eighth time. The newspaper was closed by the government after the coup attempt in 2016. In the case, 22 journalists, five of them women, are being tried on charges of "insulting a public official" and "preventing a public official from performing its duty". The names of the five female journalists on trial are Amine Demirkıran, Elif Aydoğmuş, Günay Aksoy, Gülfem Karataş and Reyhan Hacıoğlu.
The indictment against journalists Şehriban Abi and Nazan Sala was completed and officially accepted by the Van 5th High Criminal Court. Their first hearing of the trial was held on April 2, 2021. The prosecutor requested a sentence of up to 15 years in prison on the charge of being members of an armed terrorist organization. Journalist Nazan Sala also faces up to 13 years in jail for accusations of spreading terrorist propaganda through the press.
February 18
The 11th hearing of the trial against Etkin News Agency (ETHA) editor İsminaz Temel and reporter Havva Cuştan on terrorism charges was held on this day. The court decided to hear the witnesses and to continue the travel ban against the journalists. The next hearing was postponed to May 25.
The fifth hearing of the trial against Sözcü columnist Çiğdem Toker was postponed to a further date due to the judge’s administrative leave. Çiğdem is on trial with a claim of 80,000 TL for moral compensation over the article she wrote about İstanbul Municipality’s budget report. According to the article, in the said report, the municipality provided a balance sheet of its cash and in-kind support up until the year 2018 to NGOs known to be close to the government and some of which are managed by the President’s relatives.
February 19
Police intervened in the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Women's Assemblies’ press briefing to draw attention to the violations of rights inflicted on arrested women in Istanbul Çağlayan Courthouse. The reporters who followed the news, Sema Turan and Berna Kijin (Mesopotamia Agency), Yağmur Kaya (Artı Gerçek), Fatoş Erdoğan (Dokuz8 News) and Nişmiye Güler (Jin News) were prevented from filming the incident. Police later accused the journalists who were suspended from the field as "pro-PKK" (terrorist supporters).
February 23
The fourth hearing of the trial against journalist Canan Coşkun was held in Istanbul. The journalist faces charges of "targeting the counter-terrorism officer to terrorist organizations". The court ruled to ask the result of the warrant written to the police service regarding the victim police officer and adjourned the next hearing to June 8, 2021.
The trial against journalist Ruken Demir was adjourned for the fifth time. The court lifted the journalist’s travel ban however, as well as the previous session, a request demanded to examine Ruken’s social media accounts.
February 24
Özgür Gündem’s editor, Reyhan Çapan, has been facing legal persecution for a long time. The 19th hearing of the trial against her and her colleagues were held on this day at the İstanbul 13th High Criminal Court. The hearing was postponed once again after the court ruled to wait for the execution of arrest warrants issued for defendants and ordered their initial testimonies to be taken. The trial was adjourned until June 22, 2021.
Dünya Newspaper regional representative Recep Şenyurt verbally harassed his female colleagues for a year. Resigning after his abuse, Şenyurt also disgracefully sued for defamation in a case against the female journalist who revealed the incident. The court dismissed the case against the woman journalist.
February 26
The fourth hearing of the trial against 38 people including journalists Sedef Kabaş, Merdan Yanardağ, Mustafa Sönmez and Bloomberg economy reporters Fercan Yalınkılıç, Kerim Karakaya on the allegation of "economic coup attempt" was held today at the Istanbul 3rd Criminal Court of First Instance. The court decided to wait for the expert reports. The next hearing was postponed to June 4, 2021.
March 3
The second hearing of the case against Nurcan Yalçın was held on this day at the Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court. If convicted, Nurcan will be sentenced to 20 years in prison over the charges of being affiliated with a terrorist organization and spreading terrorist propaganda. The court ruled to send the case-file to the prosecutor’s office for the final opinion as to the accusations to be drafted and adjourned the hearing on June 9, 2021.
March 4
Artı TV Ankara Representative Sibel Hürtaş was one of 11 people detained for their social media posts about the Turkish military “Olive Branch” operation in Afrin in January 2018. The lawsuit was filed after the journalists’ detentions on accusations of inciting hatred and hostility as well as spreading terrorist propaganda. If found guilty, they face a sentence of two to eight years. Sibel appeared in court for the 10th time and yet again her trial was postponed.
Yasemin Çongar, former executive of Taraf Newspaper, faces at least ten years sentence in prison over publishing the secret document called "Sovereign Operation Plan" which belonged to the General Staff. Her trial has been ongoing for more than five years and she appeared in court 33 times.
March 6
Dokuz8News reporter Fatoş Erdoğan was subjected to police violence while covering the International Women’s Day rally in Istanbul. The journalist was verbally and physically harassed while doing her job.
March 9
Journalists Serpil Ünal and Songül Yücel were sentenced to one year, six months and 22 days in prison. They appeared in court over charges of "being a member of a terrorist organisation" and "spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization".
Former Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporter Sadiye Eser was tried on the charge of "being a member of an armed terrorist organization". On this day she appeared in court for the third time to defend herself. The trial against her as well as MA reporter Sadık Topaloğlu was postponed once again on June 8, 2021. Journalists are facing up to 15 years of sentences in prison on terrorism charges.
Jinnews reporter Kibriye Evren is another journalist who is legally persecuted due to her journalistic coverage and social media posts. She appeared in court for the 12th time for defending herself. Kibriye is facing up to 20 years sentence in prison over the charges of being a member of a terrorist organization and spreading terrorist propaganda. The journalist was arrested in Diyarbakır on October 9, 2018, and was released at the eighth hearing of the case filed against her.
The second hearing of the trial against Democrat-News editor Selda Manduz was held at Kars 2nd High Criminal Court. Selda faces the charge of being a member of an armed terrorist organization. The court adjourned the trial until April 10, 2021, due to the delay of the review reports of HTS records and digital materials. In the first hearing, the court adjourned the trial by requesting examination reports of those digital materials.
March 10
The hearing of the case against Habertürk columnist, Nagehan Alçı, was held in İstanbul for the third time. The court ruled to give both parties time for their pleas after the prosecutor submits his opinion, and adjourned the case until March 31, 2021.
March 11
The 16th hearing of the trial against the closed Dicle News Agency (DİHA) reporter Şerife Oruç was held in Batman. The court postponed the next hearing until June 26, 2021, by giving additional time for the completion of witness statements. Şerife is another journalist who is legally persecuted for a long time. She remained behind bars for two years between 2016 and 2018, and was released. Her trial continues.
The trial against Cumhuriyet Newspaper’s court reporter Seyhan Avşar was held at the Istanbul 29th High Criminal Court. The prosecutor demanded the journalist be punished for “identifying a public officer as a target for terrorist organizations''. The court gave additional time for defence and statements against the merits. The next hearing was postponed to March 16, 2021. The Cumhuriyet reporter published a news story in March 2019 titled 'Sözcü prosecutor has a criminal record'. It looked at the case of a prosecutor who was sentenced to 10 months in imprisonment and given a penalty fine due to malfeasance.
March 16
The third hearing of the case against Olcay Büyüktaş Akça, the senior editor of Cumhuriyet Newspaper was postponed for the third time in İstanbul. The court decided to examine the added indictment case-file and adjourned the next hearing to June 15, 2021.
Cumhuriyet Newspaper’s court reporter Seyhan Avşar was acquitted from all charges she faced. The journalist was accused of “identifying a public officer as a target for terrorist organizations'' over an article she wrote about a prosecutor who was sentenced to 10 months in imprisonment and given a penalty fine due to malfeasance.
March 18
The Şalom Newspaper columnist Karel Valansi was deliberately targeted with anti-Semitic hate speech by pro-gov newspapers on the anniversary of Gallipoli Victory.
March 20
The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) team member Ceren İskit was physically assaulted and told to ‘stop filming’ while monitoring the situation for women journalists at Istanbul convention demonstrations.
Medya Koridor Editor-in-Chief, Canan Kaya, was threatened after posting on her Instagram account in response to the withdrawal of the Istanbul Convention. An unidentified internet user threatened the journalist with a voice message, after the post. The attacker, who told Canan to delete the post made in the audio recording, threatened the journalist by using the words "No to the Istanbul Convention".
March 23
After the protocol signed with the union, Disk Basın-İş, nine journalists, six of whom are women, of Artı TV and Artı Gerçek, were forced to resign for "not observing the hierarchy" and other excuses. The journalists were also expelled and imposed unpaid leave. 22 of them were subjected to workplace harassment.
March 24
The second hearing of the case against Hatice Şahin, Yeni Yaşam Newspaper editor, was held at the Diyarbakır. The court ruled to examine court files against individuals whose names were mentioned in secret witness testimonies and rejected the request to lift the travel ban against journalist Şahin. The trial adjourned until June 28, 2021.
Journalist Perihan Kaya was sentenced one year and three months in prison for "spreading terrorist propaganda" at her first hearing. The journalist was accused of being responsible for the KCK organization’s Press Area", "organizing propaganda" and "being a member of an armed terrorist organisation”.
Third hearing of the trial against Gazete Yolculuk reporter (former student journalist at Cumhuriyet) Buse Söğütlü was supposed to be held on this day. However, the court postponed the trial without seeing it to April 14, 2021. An investigation was launched against the journalist at Cumhuriyet Newspaper, over her Twitter post criticizing the judge of Istanbul. The journalist was claimed to have “put the aforementioned judge as the target of armed terrorist organisation DHKP-C and other marginal leftist organisations”. She faces up to 13 years sentence in prison over the charges of “identifying officials on anti-terror duties as targets” and “being affiliated with an armed terrorist organisation” if convicted.
March 26
Dokuz8Haber reporter Ebrar Başyiğit and Artı Gerçek correspondent Yağmur Kaya were detained while covering the detained Boğaziçi University students’ developments at İstanbul Çağlayan Courthouse. Dokuz8Haber reporter Fatoş Erdoğan, on the other hand, was filming the detentions of journalists. In the video, Fatoş was impeded from filming saying by police, "Go away. The press is forbidden". The journalist was pushed by the police force.
March 31
The court sentenced Habertürk columnist Nagehan Alçı to a judicial fine of seven thousand and 80 Turkish Lira (TL) for “publicly insulting an official due to their duty” at her forth hearing of the case against her.
April 1
At the third hearing of the case against Medya Koridoru news website’s Editor-in-Chief Canan Kaya, the court ruled to dismiss the case. Canan was acquitted from all charges she faced.
Police attacked the Boğaziçi University’s student protests which took place in İstanbul. More than 30 students were detained and many journalists including women reporters were deliberately impeded and physically assaulted by the police force. At least four women journalists, who were in the scene, were affected by tear gas and beaten.
April 2
The first hearing of the trial against the imprisoned journalists Şehriban Abi and Nazan Sala was held in Van on this day. The hearing started with restrictions against many journalists and NGOs who wanted to follow the case and ended with journalists’ release. The court ruled the release of all imprisoned journalists conditionally.
April 5
Jin News reporter Beritan Canözer’s house was raided and the journalist was taken to custody without any notice. No further information was given about the detention. Beritan remained in custody for four days and was released conditionally.
April 6
The first hearing of the trial against journalist Melis Alphan on the charge of "spreading terrorist propaganda" was held in İstanbul and postponed the next hearing to May 21, 2021.
April 8
Selda Manduz was acquitted from all the charges she faced by the court at her third hearing. The journalist faced up to 15 years sentence in prison for being a member of an armed terrorist organization.
April 15
For the 13th time journalists Semiha Şahin and Pınar Gayıp’s trial was adjourned. This time, the court ruled incomplete elements of the case-file to be completed and postponed the trial to July 14, 2021.
April 19
Journalists Serpil Ünal and Kardelen Yoğungan were detained for covering the press statement held by Sinbo workers who were dismissed because of their union membership in Istanbul. The journalists were released after their statements were taken.
April 20
The second hearing of the trial against Yeni Yaşam Newspaper Managing Editor İnci Aydın on the charge of "spreading terrorist propaganda for an organization" was held in Istanbul. The lawsuit followed the article titled "Is the New Attack Coming Ahead" on July 17, 2020, that exposed Turkish Military preparation of an operation against the cities in the north of Syria, and would be directed to the city, Kobane. The court ruled to acquit the journalist.
April 21
Three journalists, Zeynep Kuray, Meral Danyıldız, and Kardelen Yoğungan, covering the press release of the May-Day Platform in Istanbul were verbally harassed and physically assaulted by the police. They were also deliberately prevented from filming the gathering. The police attacked the crowd and detained at least 30 people who participated and battered the journalists.
April 26
The trial against journalist Durket Süren was adjourned yet again due to the digital examination report on Durket’s confiscated mobile phone and personal computer to be completed.
Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporter Diren Yurtsever was deliberately impeded and physically assaulted by the police while following the Kobani Trial which took place in Ankara.
April 27
Police attacked the gathering of the Sinbo and SML Label workers to ban May 1, Labour Day organisations. While 40 people were detained, Jin News reporter Sena Dollar and Kızıl Bayrak reporter Kardelen Yoğungan were among those. The reporters were also physically assaulted by the police. Both journalists were released after their testimonies were taken.
First hearing of the trial against journalists Rojda Aydın, Nurcan Yalçın and Halime Parlak over the charges of ‘being participants in a prohibited gathering, defying police orders to disband’ was held in Mardin. The court adjourned the next hearing to October 13, 2021. The lawsuit was filed against the journalist because of the demonstration they followed.
May 1
Journalists who followed May 1 Labour Day events across Turkey were impeded from filming the police violence against protestors by the security forces. Their equipment was damaged and they were beaten. At least four female journalists were subjected to police intervention while covering the events.
Mesopotamia Agency reporter Ceylan Şahinli, who followed the events on May 1 Labour Day in Ankara, was detained. Reportedly the journalist was subjected to police violence while filming the police intervention against the gathering for May 1.
May 4
Habertürk TV presenter Ebru Baki was deliberately targeted with the organised trolling campaign after the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Deputy İzzet Ulvi Yönter’s statement. Ebru was subjected to online attacks by many trolls.
May 15
Karel Valansi, the columnist of Şalom Newspaper, was targeted yet again with another racist attack by pro-govt media outlets after the Palestine conflicts. The journalist was also deliberately subjected to online smear campaigns after the racist articles.
May 21
In the second hearing of the trial against journalist Melis Alphan on the charge of "spreading terrorist propaganda", the journalist was acquitted from all the accusations.
May 27
Journalists Derya Saadet and Fatoş Erdoğan were stopped by police while covering and filming the student demonstration of Israel strikes.
May 28
The first hearing of the trial against Roza Metina, the Kurdish editor of Jin News, was held in Diyarbakır. The court ordered the file to the prosecutor's office for its opinion and postponed the next hearing to September 14, 2021. Roza was charged of being affiliated with a terrorist group. She was detained and released within the scope of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) investigation initiated by Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on November 20, 2020.
June 2
A lawsuit was filed against journalist Ayşe Kara over her articles and her membership in the Free Journalists' Association (ÖGC). If convicted, Ayşe will be sentenced to prison for up to 15 years. She was allegedly accused of being affiliated with a terrorist organisation.
June 3
Journalist Rojda Oğuz was detained in a police raid in 2016 for participating in the protests of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University students at different times. She was arrested later and taken to the prison in Van. After four months, she was released. The journalist is now facing a prison sentence of up to seven years on charges of "being a member of an armed terrorist organization" and "spreading terrorist propaganda". Her trial on charges of being affiliated with an armed terrorist organization and spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization was held in Van on this day. The court adjourned the next hearing to October 12, 2021, to completely hear the defendant's case.
June 4
The trial against journalist Sedef Kabaş and 38 people on charges of "damaging the economy" was postponed for the fifth time on this day. The court ruled the defendants did not provide benefit according to the expert report. Lawyers from the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) were given an extension to declare against the report. The next hearing was adjourned until July 9, 2021.
June 5
Dokuz8Haber reporter Fatoş Erdoğan was physically assaulted by the police during the protest she followed in Kadıköy, Istanbul. She was also deliberately impeded from filming the event. Fatoş was physically and verbally attacked for the fifth time.
June 7
Four women journalists were beaten and prevented while covering women’s demonstration in Ankara. The journalists followed the press statement that was made before the trial against the Ankara Women's Platform. 33 women are facing charges over confronting withdrawal of the Istanbul Convention.
June 8
A dark day for press freedom. Four journalists appeared in court in four separate cases against them on terrorism charges.
Ruken has appeared in court six times since her release and the hearing was adjourned again. This time, the court postponed the next hearing to October 5, 2021. Due to the change of the court committee and deciding to wait for the result of the cyber investigation.
Sadiye Eser’s trial was also postponed for the fourth time. Just like Ruken, the journalist is on trial for being a member of an armed terrorist organization. The journalist, who was taken into custody on November 29, 2019, was arrested on December 2, 2019. She was released conditionally at the first hearing held on March 26, 2020. Sadiye’s case has been ongoing since March 2020. A prison sentence of seven to 15 years is sought for the journalist.
The trial against journalists Canan Coşkun on charges of "targeting the counter-terrorism officer to terrorist organizations" was adjourned for the fifth time. Giving the opinion, the prosecutor demanded a three-year prison sentence for Canan. The court adjourned the case to October 7, 2021, to complete the defences against the opinion.
In the case against Jin News reporter Melike Aydın, the court acquitted the journalist due to lack of evidence. The journalist was arrested along with MA reporter Ruken Demir on November 16, 2019. She was released on January 30, 2020, with the court's interim order. She was facing up to 15 years in prison.
June 9
Journalist Nurcan Yalçın faces charges of being affiliated with a terrorist organization and spreading terrorist propaganda. The fourth hearing was held in Diyarbakır on this day and yet again the hearing was postponed to September 29, 2021. The court ordered the Security Directorate’s Anti-Terror Branch to investigate whether Jin News Agency, where Nurcan works, has connections to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
June 15
Cumhuriyet Newspaper's Olcay Büyüktaş Akça was acquitted eventually in the fourth session on her trial over the charge of "disclosing the identity of a counterterrorism informant".
The first hearing of the case against journalist Ayşe Kara was held on this day. The court ruled that the international travel ban imposed on Ayşe should continue. The next hearing will be held on November 9, 2021. She was accused of terrorism charges due to being a member of the Free Journalists' Association (ÖGC), which was closed by Statutory Decrees (KHK) issued under the State of Emergency (OHAL).
June 17
The hearing of the case against journalist Hazal Ocak concerning her news piece “Son-in-law knows his way” was held on this day. The case was filed upon the complaint of the then Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak. The next hearing was postponed to October 14, 2021. The lawsuit was filed against the journalist for non-pecuniary damage of 200 thousand TL.
June 18
The 12th hearing of the trial against journalists Sema Karakurt and Eylem Sonbahar was held at the Antalya 25th Criminal Court of First Instance. The journalists were tried among 17 people on charges of "resisting against public duty" and "insulting". Sema and Eylem are facing charges following the protests against the G20 Summit held in Antalya on 15-16 November 2015. The court postponed the next hearing to December 17, 2021, to eliminate the deficiencies in the case file.
June 21
An investigation was launched against Artı Gerçek reporter Yağmur Kaya with the allegation of "targeting people who took part in counter-terrorism", following her journalistic coverage. Yağmur’s interview with Human Rights Association (İHD) Co-Chair and lawyer Eren Keskin was considered a criminal element.
June 22
The trial against Özgür Gündem newspaper’s former editor, Reyhan Çapan was adjourned for the 20th time. The court ruled to eliminate the missing elements of the case file and postponed the next hearing to November 3, 2021.
The trial, known as the "KCK Press Case", in which 17 women journalists and media workers were tried for nine years on charges of being affiliated with a terrorist organization and establishing and leading an armed terrorist organization was postponed for the 22nd time. The court adjourned the next hearing to November 23 2021, ruling that the missing elements should be completed.
June 24
The 13th hearing of the trial against journalist Kibriye Evren over her journalistic activities was postponed to November 11, 2021. The journalist was sued over allegations of being a member of a terrorist organisation and spreading its propaganda.
The trial against the closed Dicle News Agency (DİHA) reporter Şerife Oruç on the charge of being affiliated with a terrorist organisation was adjourned for the 17th time. The next hearing will be held on November 11, 2021.
The trial of Cumhuriyet newspaper reporter Hazal Ocak, managing editor Olcay Büyüktaş Akça, editor-in-chief İpek Özbey and photo-journalist Vedat Arık was held for the third time in İstanbul. The court adjourned the hearing to December 1, 2021, once again. Journalists face 14 years of prison sentence if they are convicted.
June 26
Police attacked the 19th LGBTI+ Pride in Istanbul. Many LGBTI+ were detained during the demonstration. At least five female journalists were prevented following the events. Journalists were also beaten by the police.
June 29
In 2020, 35 people who participated in the 8 March Feminist Night, including Gazete Yolculuk reporter Buse Söğütlü, were sued for ‘being participants in a prohibited gathering, defying police orders to disband’, “resisting the police officers” and "damaging property". The first hearing of the case was held at the Istanbul 58th Criminal Court of First Instance. The court adjourned the hearing to December 29, deciding to accept the demands of the defendants who had requested to be excluded from the hearings.
July 2
The trial against journalists Şehriban Abi, Nazan Sala who remained behind bars for 175 days, and Zeynep Durgut was held on this day in Van. Journalists are facing charges of “being a member of a terrorist organization" due to their journalistic coverage. The prosecutor requested a sentence of up to 15 years in prison for all journalists. Also, Nazan faces up to 13 years in jail for accusations of spreading terrorist propaganda through the press. The court adjourned the next hearing to October 21, 2021, ruling that the missing elements of the case should be completed.
July 5
Journalists Büşra Taşkıran and Berna Kişin were physically assaulted by the police while covering demonstrations at Sincan Prison demanding the release of The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Faruk Gergerlioğlu. The police deliberately attacked journalists. Journalists' mobile phones and equipment were sought to be confiscated.
July 6
The sixth hearing of the trial against journalist Derya Okatan for the "insult" charges was held in İstanbul. The prosecution in the trial requested Derya’s acquittal on accounts of press freedom. The verdict is expected at the next hearing.
July 8
The prosecutor appealed the acquittal of journalist Melis Alphan over the charges she faced seven years in prison. The case is scheduled to reopen in the Turkish Supreme Court.
July 9
The trial against journalist Sedef Kabaş on charges of "damaging the economy" was postponed for the sixth time, due to the judge’s leave. Sedef faces two to five years sentences in prison on charges of "violating the Capital Law". Also, judicial fines of up to five thousand days are demanded against journalists.
The 12th hearing of the trial against six journalists, including Derya Okatan, who reported on emails allegedly belonging to former minister Berat Albayrak, was held in Istanbul. The court adjourned the next hearing to December 9, 2021, accepting the prosecutor's request for the extension of the case file and ruling on the continuation of the journalists' travel ban.
July 14
The trial in which Etkin News Agency (ETHA) editor Semiha Şahin and reporter Pınar Gayıp have tried charges of "being affiliated with a terrorist organisation" and "spreading propaganda" was postponed for the 14th time. The court adjourned the next hearing to November 9, 2021, ruling that the missing elements should be completed.
July 20
Canan Kaya and Nevşin Mengü were targeted online with racist rhetoric and accusations of being funded by international organizations due to their views on the refugee crisis.
Police attacked the gathering to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Suruç Massacre in Istanbul. At least eight female journalists were also deliberately targeted and beaten with force. Police attacked journalists with tear gas and rubber bullets. Some of the reporters' equipment was damaged.
July 31
Journalist Berna Kişin was deliberately targeted by the pro-government Memleket Newspaper, following her coverage of the assassination of seven people in the same family in Konya. The news outlet alleged that the journalist wrote a pro-terrorist story.
Six journalists, three of whom were women, were physically assaulted by a group of men. The journalists were following those gathered to protest the assassination of seven people in Konya. The police did not intervene in the group that attacked the journalists.
August 3
Journalist Büşra Taşkıran was physically assaulted with police force while following the women’s protest for Azra Gülendam Haytaoğlu, 21, and Emine Gökkız, 45, who were brutally murdered. The journalist was deliberately impeded from filming the event and beaten by the police.
August 5
Euronews Turkish Service reporter Dilek Gül’s and Fox News reporter Gülşah İnce were denied access to areas impacted by the wildfire as they tried to cover the wildfires tragedy. The decision came out from higher authorities, according to security forces.
August 8
BirGün Newspaper reporter Sarya Toprak violated her right to report by the Minister of Environment and Urbanization. The reporter was filming the citizens who were victims of the wildfire and was prevented by the minister. The journalist was also forcibly removed from the area by the police force.
August 9
A man accused of child abuse lodges a police complaint against Bianet editor Evrim Kepenek, who revealed the abuse coverage.
August 12
Journalists Büşra Taşkıran and Seda Taşkın were barred with the police force driving them away from covering the racist events against refugees in Ankara. Journalists were covering the loot against many refugees and Syrians in the city.
August 12
Jin News reporter Hikmet Tunç was sentenced to eight months and 22 days in prison as a result of the trial against her over her coverage. Allegedly she was penalized for insulting Harun Yücel, the trustee appointed to Muradiye Municipality.
August 13
Jin news reporter Beritan Canözer was detained after the police raided her home. Reportedly, the journalist was detained on charges of "spreading terrorist propaganda" and "acting on behalf of a terrorist organization".
August 27
Ankara 4th High Criminal Court accepted the indictment from 2019, which was accusing journalist Derya Okatan on the charge of "spreading propaganda for an organization in a chain". If convicted, the journalist will be sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison. The first hearing of the case will be held on October 13.
September 1
An investigation was launched against Jinnews reporter Öznur Değer regarding her posts and stories about the assassination of seven people in the same family in Konya.
September 5
At least five women journalists were impeded by the police forces while following September 1 World Peace Day demonstration in İstanbul. The police attempted to confiscate journalist Eylem Nazlıer’s phone, who was filming the police violence against the demonstration. At least four female journalists’ right to report was violated.
September 14
The second hearing of the case against Jin News Kurdish editor Roza Metina was held in Diyarbakır. The prosecutor gave its opinion to the court and demanded a 15-year prison sentence for the journalist. Upon the request of the defence, the court adjourned the trial until October 12, 2021.
The fourth hearing of the trial against Gazete Yolculuk reporter Buse Söğütlü on terrorism charges was held in İstanbul. The prosecution presented its opinion of the case and demanded Buse be sentenced for the crime of "targeting those who took part in the fight against counter-terrorism". Upon the request of the defence, the court adjourned the trial until January 27, 2022.
September 16
The 14th hearing of the case against Meşale Tolu was held at the Istanbul 29th High Criminal Court. The journalist faces a prison sentence of up to 25 years on charges of spreading terrorist propaganda and being a member of a terrorist organization if she was convicted. The prosecutor presented its opinion to the court board and demanded Meşale’s acquittal. The next hearing was postponed for the 14th time, with the lawyers' request for additional time for their defence. The next hearing will be held on December 24, 2021.
September 20
Seven women journalists were deliberately prevented while following the Kobani Trial which took place in Ankara. The trial known as ‘Kobani’ was filed against 108 people, including Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, the former co-chairs of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).
The seventh hearing of the trial against journalist Durket Süren was held in Diyarbakır. The court ruled again to wait for the digital examination report on Durket’s confiscated materials. The trial adjourned until December 13, 2021.
September 21
The fifth hearing of the trial against journalist Sadiye Eser was held in Istanbul. The court adjourned the case for the fifth time, demanding the missing elements be completed. The next hearing will be held on November 18, 2021.
September 23
The sixth hearing of the trial against Sözcü columnist Çiğdem Toker was held in İstanbul. Çiğdem is on trial with a claim of 80,000 TL for moral compensation. The court adjourned the next hearing until February 1, 2022, ruling to hear witnesses statements.
September 24
The second hearing of the trial for three police officers who viciously and deliberately attacked reporter Beyza Kural Yılancı on charges of "violating freedom of work and profession" was held in İstanbul. None of the police officers attended the hearing. The court ruled the accused police officer, who was abroad, should be suspended from the trial and the other officer be heard by Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS) in the next hearing. The next hearing was adjourned until December 10, 2021.
September 27
The fourth hearing of the trial against lawyer, human rights defender, and Artı Gerçek columnist, Nurcan Kaya, was held. She was defending charges of making propaganda material. The court sentenced the journalist to fifteen months in prison and deferred the announcement of the verdict.
September 29
The fifth hearing of the trial against journalist Nurcan Yalçın was held in Diyarbakır. The journalist is tried on charges of being affiliated with a terrorist organization and spreading terrorist propaganda. Today, the prosecutor requested the journalist be sentenced to prison. The court adjourned the case to November 22 2021, giving time to complete the defences against the prosecution's opinion.
