Ekşi Sözlük responds to boycott allegations: 'We have no ties to political structures'

Ekşi Sözlük has faced calls for a boycott amid allegations that it leans toward the government, is associated with various capital groups, and ignores opposition views. In a statement regarding the matter, the platform noted: 'We observe that some individuals who are uncomfortable with the criticisms written about Ekşi Sözlük in recent days are putting forward such allegations with the aim of targeting the entire platform. A striking double standard emerges when these allegations are voiced: These baseless claims directed at the Dictionary are organized via X, yet the individuals making these claims do not show any reaction, let alone a boycott, against the censorship policies or access bans implemented by X.'

Ekşi Sözlük issued a statement regarding the boycott calls directed at it, particularly the criticisms that it applied censorship against opposition figures during the process of the detention and subsequent arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

"WHERE DID #EKŞİSÖZLÜKBOYKOT COME FROM?

• Recently, we have observed that some individuals who are uncomfortable with the criticisms made about Ekşi Sözlük are putting forward such allegations with the aim of targeting the entire platform. The way these allegations are brought to the agenda reveals a striking double standard: While baseless accusations against the Dictionary are organized through certain platforms, the same individuals do not show any reaction against the censorship policies or access bans of these platforms.

DOES EKŞİ SÖZLÜK HAVE ANY TIES TO ANY POLITICAL STRUCTURE?

• We have no ties to any political structure. Our relationship with politicians is limited to our Q&A events. It is not easy to be the only medium in Turkey that is accused by both the opposition and the government of supporting the other side. This should be the clearest indication that we are not trying to please anyone.

DO YOU HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DOĞUŞ GROUP OR ANY OTHER CAPITAL GROUP?

• No, Ekşi Sözlük does not have any partnership with the Doğuş Group or any other capital group. The platform has only two partners: its founder Sedat Kapanoğlu and his partner Başak Purut. Apart from these two names, there are no other investors, companies, groups, or shareholders involved.

ARE THERE ANY EMPLOYEES OF THE DIRECTORATE OF COMMUNICATIONS ON YOUR TEAM?

• No, there are no employees of the Directorate of Communications on our team. Our moderation process is carried out independently and is shaped according to the rules of the dictionary.

IS THERE A ROOM RESERVED FOR TROLLS IN THE EKŞİ SÖZLÜK OFFICE?

• Ekşi Sözlük has no relationship or cooperation with any troll, troll group, or such structures, and cannot have one. Therefore, the claim that there is a room reserved for trolls in the office is completely baseless.

WHY DID YOU CENSOR THE MARCH 29, 2025 CHP MALTEPE RALLY THREAD?

• We absolutely did not censor the thread. When we examined the relevant complaints, we determined that most of the authors who reached out to us with this complaint had blocked the user who opened the thread, and therefore they could not see this thread.

WHY WAS THE THREAD ABOUT THE CLOSURE OF THE ŞİŞLİ KENT LOKANTASI CLOSED?

• The claim that the Şişli Kent Lokantası was closed was denied by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications; the thread in question was closed in accordance with our legal obligations in line with the definition of disinformation."