Turkish authorities have ordered a block on the independent news portal T24 and its social media accounts, citing 118 articles deemed to constitute "LGBT propaganda." Journalists involved decried the decision as a crackdown on objective reporting and a threat to press freedom.
The blocking of T24 and the broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ groups and media outlets in Turkey raise concerns about freedom of expression and media freedom in the country, potentially impacting the ability of journalists to report on sensitive social issues.
Turkish authorities have ordered a block on the independent news portal T24 and its social media accounts, citing 118 articles published over the past year that were deemed to constitute "LGBT propaganda." The decision was made as part of a widening crackdown targeting LGBTQ+ groups, which the government says aims to protect children and family values.
Yildiz Tar, editor-in-chief of LGBTQ+ news outlet Kaos GL, whose articles published by T24 were among those cited, rejected the authorities' description, stating that the reporting was objective and about LGBTQ+ rights, hate killings, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ people after the 2023 earthquake in Turkey. "It creates the image that writing about LGBTQI people in an objective way is a crime," Tar said.
Candan Yildiz, T24's editor in charge, described the situation as a "digital state of emergency" that undermines journalism. She stated that T24's lawyers were scheduled to appeal the decision. Dozens of people have been jailed pending trial as part of the investigation, and courts have blocked websites and social media accounts belonging to LGBTQ+ groups, activists, and media outlets. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has increased his anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in recent years, and the European Union has expressed concern over the arrests and online restrictions.
Pick the topics you care about. Get only what matters, on your cadence.