{"id":5028,"date":"2026-11-14T09:14:06","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T09:14:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/academicsolidarity.com\/?p=5028"},"modified":"2026-11-14T16:16:27","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T16:16:27","slug":"a-society-without-a-free-press-cannot-be-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/academicsolidarity.com\/?p=5028&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"A society without a free press cannot be free!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In Turkey, KHKTV reporter Ahmet Erkan Yi\u011fits\u00f6zl\u00fc has been arrested. In a country where journalists, academics, and ordinary citizens must first weigh the potential consequences before deciding what to write, what to say, or what to share on social media, one cannot speak of freedom.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freedom of the press is not merely a professional privilege for journalists; it is a fundamental human right for everyone. It is a prerequisite for society to learn the truth, for public power to be held accountable, for injustices to be brought to light, and for democratic mechanisms to function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees not only the right to express one\u2019s opinions but also the right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas without any restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, developments in Turkey (particularly over the last decade) demonstrate that this fundamental human right is being systematically violated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Media silenced since July 15, 2016.<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The state of emergency declared following the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, marked a significant turning point for press freedom in Turkey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to data from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Media Ownership Monitor (MOM) project, 179 media outlets were shut down during the state of emergency. In the first two months of the state of emergency alone, 620 press cards and 34 parliamentary press cards were revoked (https:\/\/turkey.mom-rsf.org\/tr\/bulgular\/el-koyulan-medya\/<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Type of organization<\/strong><\/td>Number<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>
Newspaper<\/strong><\/td>53<\/td><\/tr>
Radio<\/strong><\/td>37<\/td><\/tr>
Television<\/strong><\/td>34<\/td><\/tr>
Publishing house and distribution company<\/strong><\/td>29<\/td><\/tr>
Magazine<\/strong><\/td>20<\/td><\/tr>
News agency<\/strong><\/td>6<\/td><\/tr>
Total<\/strong><\/td>179<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2016\u20132018 state of emergency period. Source: RSF \u2013 Media Ownership Monitor, \u0130HOP.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is, of course, the duty of the state to investigate a coup attempt and to ensure that those responsible are tried within the framework of the law. However, security concerns cannot justify the wholesale elimination of press freedom. Every newspaper, television channel, or publishing house that is shut down also signifies the closing of a window through which society can access information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

T\u00fcrkiye in the world press freedom rankings<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

According to Reporters Without Borders\u2019 2026 World Press Freedom Index, Turkey ranks 163rd out of 180 countries (https:\/\/rsf.org\/en\/country-t%C3%BCrkiye<\/a>). Furthermore, based on RSF\u2019s assessment, approximately 90% of national media outlets in Turkey are under government control (https:\/\/bianet.org\/haber\/turkiye-de-medyayi-kimler-kontrol-ediyor-208089<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For journalists, the situation is even more concerning. According to reports by the Journalists\u2019 Union of Turkey and other professional press organizations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n