Police teams entered the Istanbul building of Halk TV in the morning hours. It was reported that the Financial Crimes, Organized Crime (KOM), and Counter-Terrorism (TEM) units conducted a search at the channel, the broadcast was halted, and a board of trustees took over the management.
Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş reacted to the trustee decision, pointing out that Turkey ranks 163rd out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index.
Yavaş's statement is as follows:
"In the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, Turkey ranks 163rd out of 180 countries.
This picture clearly reveals the point that press freedom has reached in our country.
However, Article 28 of our Constitution is extremely clear: 'The press is free and shall not be censored.'
Press freedom is the guarantee not only of journalists but also of the public's right to receive accurate information, and criticism is not a crime but an indispensable part of democracy.
The appointment of a trustee to Halk TV, one of the most-watched news channels, is a clear intervention against press freedom and the public's right to receive information!"
News Source: 12punto
