TGC visits Merdan Yanardağ, who is imprisoned in Silivri: 'A journalist does not lie'

The Board of Directors of the Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC) visited their member, Tele 1 Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardağ, who is being held at the Marmara Closed Penal Execution Institution in Silivri.

The visit was attended by President Vahap Munyar, Secretary General Sibel Güneş, Deputy Secretary General Uğur Güç, and Board Member Zeynel Lüle on behalf of the TGC Board of Directors.

Yanardağ was arrested on October 27, 2025, on charges of "political espionage" alongside Ekrem İmamoğlu and Necati Özkan as part of an investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. A trustee had also been appointed to Tele 1's owner, ABC Radio Television and Digital Broadcasting Inc.

According to the statement from the TGC, a total of 144 journalists were dismissed without severance pay from Tele 1's offices in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir following the appointment of the trustee.

My morale is good in prison. I am preparing another book. It will likely be titled 'In the Footsteps of the Republic'. I am following the agenda. In an environment where journalists are constantly being detained and arrested, both our colleagues and young journalist candidates should not let their morale drop.

Emphasizing the fundamental principles of the journalism profession, Yanardağ stated that there is a strong tradition of journalism in Turkey. "A journalist does not lie, cannot slander. They cannot bend or twist the truth," said Yanardağ, noting that journalists must remain committed to these principles regardless of their political views.

Arguing that Tele 1 has created an independent media model, Yanardağ stated, "Journalism can be done without leaning on the government or capital. We, as Tele 1, had achieved this."

Denying the accusations against him, Yanardağ said, "The virtual espionage case against us has collapsed. I am being accused of committing espionage during a live broadcast. For which state was espionage committed? The answer to this question is not in the indictment." Yanardağ said he expects to appear at the hearing on September 29, 2026, and to be released.

TGC CALLS FOR RELEASE

In a statement made after the prison visit, members of the TGC Board of Directors stated that depriving journalists of their freedom due to their professional activities damages the public conscience.

The statement read, "We believe that the detention of journalists pending trial should be an exceptional practice. We want Merdan Yanardağ to be released as soon as possible."

The TGC announced that it stands in solidarity with all journalists who work to ensure the public has access to accurate information and who face unfair detention and imprisonment practices.