15/10/2026 Monitoring
“This is a truly dark day for media freedom in Türkiye,” said the co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of Türkiye of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Lord David Blencathra (United Kingdom, ECPA) and Yves Cruchten (Luxembourg, SOC), reacting to yesterday’s police raid on opposition broadcaster Halk TV, the reported detention of its staff, the interruption of its live broadcasts and the appointment of a state administrator.
“These actions raise grave concerns about the continued erosion of independent journalism in the country,” the two parliamentarians said. “This follows the arrests and house arrests of four journalists over the weekend on suspicion of spreading disinformation related to the investment fund scandal. Taken together, these measures point to an alarming pattern of pressure on journalists and media outlets reporting on matters of public interest.”
“Media freedom is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of democracy,” the co-rapporteurs pointed out, recalling that under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), Türkiye is obliged to protect freedom of expression, including the freedom of the press to impart information and the public’s right to receive it. Any restriction must be lawful, pursue a legitimate aim, and be necessary and proportionate in a democratic society.
“While allegations of criminal wrongdoing may be investigated through fair and independent proceedings, the use of criminal and administrative measures must not become a means of silencing critical voices, intimidating journalists or undermining editorial independence,” the co-rapporteurs added.
“We call on the Turkish authorities to respect their obligations under the ECHR, ensure due process and effective judicial safeguards, and protect journalists from intimidation and arbitrary interference. Journalists must be able to report freely, and independent media must be allowed to operate without undue political pressure.”
“Protecting press freedom is not a privilege – it is a human rights obligation and a fundamental condition of democracy,” they concluded.
Türkiye is one of ten Council of Europe member states subject to the Assembly’s full monitoring procedure, which involves regular visits by a pair of rapporteurs, who conduct an ongoing dialogue with authorities, and occasional plenary debates to ensure that a state's progress and problems are honestly assessed.