Press freedom message from DİSK Basın-İş

Issuing a statement as part of the July 24 Day of Struggle for Press Freedom, the DİSK Basın-İş Union recalled in its message that censorship was abolished and newspapers began to be published freely with the declaration of the Second Constitutional Era on July 24, 1908.

The union stated that after 118 years, the same day has become a day to draw attention to the pressures on press freedom rather than a day of celebration.

"A REGRESSION IS BEING EXPERIENCED IN THE FIELD OF PRESS FREEDOM"

In the statement, it was argued that Turkey is regressing in the field of press freedom. Pointing to the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), DİSK Basın-İş noted that Turkey ranks 163rd out of 180 countries.

The union stated that Turkey, which was in 100th place in 2002, has fallen in the index in recent years, claiming that this situation is an indicator of the pressure on the media.

In its statement, DİSK Basın-İş alleged that the majority of national media organizations are under the direct or indirect control of the government.

The statement also claimed that the public broadcaster TRT and Anadolu Agency reflect the views of the ruling power, and alleged that the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) and the Press Advertising Agency (BİK) have lost their impartiality and impose economic sanctions on opposition media outlets.

The union argued that the Constitutional Court's violation rulings regarding advertising cuts are not being implemented by the BİK.

ATTENTION DRAWN TO JUDICIAL PROCESSES AGAINST JOURNALISTS

The statement alleged that Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code, which came into effect as part of the "fight against disinformation," is being used in investigations and lawsuits against journalists.

DİSK Basın-İş claimed that 27 journalists and media workers are currently imprisoned or being tried while in custody solely due to their journalistic activities, and argued that charges of "insulting the President," "propaganda for a terrorist organization," and "publicly disseminating misleading information" make it difficult for journalists to perform their profession.

News Source: 12punto