Turkish authorities arrested 10 journalists in September

The Tigris and Euphrates Journalists Association revealed in a report that Turkish authorities arrested 10 journalists during the month of September, opened investigations with 19 others, while 22 journalists faced filed lawsuits.

According to the report, access to 49 social media accounts and 30 news websites was blocked, in addition to the closure of six websites, amid an increase in court-issued blocking orders.

The report indicated that access to social media was restricted for 21 hours on the day a guardian was appointed for the headquarters of the opposition Republican People's Party in Istanbul, after which police seized the building. Moreover, an investigation was opened into 36 accounts and 10 people were arrested on the same day.

The report also drew attention to the broadcast ban imposed after the attack on the Izmir police station, and the blocking of news related to the climate law and the Cengiz Holding group, under the pretext of maintaining "the national security."

The report added that the authorities imposed restrictions on access to virtual social media platforms, news websites, and documentary films, with a particular focus on media outlets such as Yeni Yaşam, ETHA, and ANF.

The Tigris and Euphrates Association emphasized that attacks on press have not abated, but rather increased, emphasizing that press freedom is directly linked to democracy, calling for the removal of all obstacles to access to information.

J.J