In the aftermath of the failed coup, the government closed down 179 media outlets – including 53 newspapers, 37 radio stations, 34 TV channels, 29 publishing houses9, 20 magazines, and six news agencies – with accused links to the Gulen movement, Kurdish opposition, or Leftists groups. Consequently, a total of 2,308 media workers and journalists have lost their jobs. The government canceled hundreds of press accreditations and revoked the passports of an unknown number of journalists and their family members to ban them from traveling abroad. In addition, the government imprisoned a record-breaking number of journalists in the wake of the coup attempt – with that, Turkey became the world’s largest prison for journalists.
The Platform for Independent Journalism (P24) reported that at least 126 journalists and media workers were in prison in Turkey as of October 2019, and it was 155 in March. – among them, many were put in long solitary confinement. The absence of freedom of expression is not only a recurring problem for journalists but for citizens as well. In 2018, the Ministry of Interior reported that more than 7,000 individuals were detained for their social media posts after investigating 631,233 digital materials. In relation to the censorship and content restrictions in the country, Wikipedia has been blocked in Turkey since April of 2017.
Currently, out of the 180 countries, Turkey ranks 154th on the Press Freedom Index of Reporters Without Borders and are
listed among ‘not free’ countries by the Freedom House.
The updated list of 141 jailed journalists prepared by the @jailedjournos platform and translated by Advocates of Silenced Turkey as of January 2021 is below.
THE LIST OF JAILED JOURNALISTS | ||||
Full name | The Workplace | Job | Duration of Punishment | Prison |
Abdulkadir Akyel | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Edirne | ||
Abdulkadir Civan | Today’s Zaman News | Academician/Columnist | 10 years 5 months | İzmir Prison |
Abdulkadir Turay | Dicle News Agency | Correspondent | 9 years | Mardin Type E |
Abdulkerim Bedir | Aksiyon Magazine | Editor | ||
Abdullah Özyurt | Zaman Newspaper | Correspondent | 7 years 6 months | Hatay Prison |
Abdurrahim Ersöz | Cihan | Correspondent | Antalya Type L Prison | |
Adnan Bilen | Mezopotamya Agency | Correspondent | Van High-Security Closed Panel Institution | |
Ahmet Altan | Taraf Newspaper | Production Editor and Author | 10 years 6 months | Silivri Prison |
Ahmet Kuzuoğlu | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Bilecik | ||
Ahmet Metin Sekizkardeş | Cihan Media Distribution | Director | 9 years | Silivri Prison |
Ahmet Torun | TRT Haber Channel | Editor | Sincan Prison | |
Ahmet Uzan | Sabah Egeli News | News Director | İzmir Aliağa Prison | |
Alaattin Kaya | Belde, Zaman and Star Newspaper | Former Franchisee | Sincan Prison | |
Aladdin Akkaşoğlu | Akis News | Franchisee | 8 years 9 months | Kütahya Prison |
Ali Ahmet Böken | TRT Channel | News Coordinator | 9 years 9 months | Akşehir Type T Prison |
Ali Aşikar | Azadiya Welat Newspaper | Worker | Van Type M Prison | |
Ali Demirer | Bugün Channel | News Director | Hatay Prison | |
Ali Kuş | Zaman and Bugün Newspaper | Correspondent | Silivri Prison | |
Ali Özparun | TRT Channel | The Correspondent of Adana | Silivri Prison | |
Ali Ünal | Zaman and Yeni Hayat Newspaper | Columnist and Interpreter | 19 years 6 months | İzmir No 2 Type F Closed Prison |
Aykut Yıldır | TRT Channel | The Correspondent of Brussels | Silivri Prison | |
Ayşenur Parıldak | Zaman Newspaper | Correspondent | 7 years 6 months | Sincan Prison |
Aytekin Gezici | Freelance | Correspondent and Author | 7 years 6 months | Adana-Kürkçüler Type E Closed Prison |
Bahri Öntemel | TRT Channel | Broadcast Production Officer | İskenderun Prison | |
Beytullah Özdemir | Zaman Newspaper | The Representative of Düzce | 7 years 6 months | Düzce Prison |
Burçin Selçuk Dokgöz | Zaman News | The Correspondent of Çorum | ||
Cemil Uğur | Mezopotamya Agency | Correspondent | Van High-Security Closed Panel Institution | |
Cengiz Bülbül | Zaman News | Correspondent | Sivas Prison | |
Çetin Çiftçi | Bugün News | Correspondent | 6 years 3 months | Sincan Prison |
Cihan Acar | Bugün News | Correspondent | Edirne Prison | |
Cuma Ulus | Can Erzincan Channel | Publication Coordinator | 7 years 6 months | Silivri Prison |
Durmuş Günsur | Haber11 .com | Owner | 8 years 9 months | Düzce Prison |
Emre Soncan | Zaman News | Correspondent | 7 years 6 months | Silivri Prison |
Emrullah Sarı | Cihan Medya Dağıtım | The Representative of Bolu | 7 years 6 months | |
Ercan Baysal | Star News | Economy Reporter | 7 years 6 months | Denizli Prison |
Ercan Gün | FOX Channel | News Director | Silivri Prison | |
Erdal Erçıktı | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Aegean Region | ||
Erdal Şen | Habertürk News | The Representative of Ankara | 6 years 3 months | Silivri Prison |
Erdal Süsem | Eylül Magazine | Editor | Life sentenced | Edirne Type F Prison |
Erkan Akkuş | Bugün Channel | Speaker | ||
Erol Zavar | Odak Magazine | Editor-in-Chief | Life sentenced | Bolu Type F Prison |
Ersin Demirci | Zaman News | Regional Director | 6 years 3 months | Bursa Prison |
Eyüp Keser | TRT Channel | Correspondent | 8 years 9 months | Sincan Prison |
Fahri Öztoprak | Zaman News | Correspondent | 6 years 3 months | Erzurum Type H Prison |
Faruk Akkan | Cihan News Agency | Chief Editor | 9 years | Silivri Prison |
Ferhat Çiftçi | Azadiya Welat News | The Representative of Gaziantep | 21 years 8 months | Gaziantep Type H Prison |
Fethi Altun | Cihan News Agency | The Correspondent of Şanlıurfa | Edirne Prison | |
Fevzi Yazıcı | Zaman News | Visual Director | 11 years 3 months | Silivri Prison |
Fikret Altıalay | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Sakarya | ||
Gültekin Avcı | Bugün News | Former Prosecutor/Columnist | 6 years 3 months | İzmir Prison |
Hakan Taşdelen | Fia Production | Director | 9 years | |
Halil Bilecen | Today’s Zaman News | Academician/Columnist | 7 years 5 months | Urfa Hilvan Prison |
Hamit Çalış | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Afyon | 9 years 9 months | |
Hamza Günerigök | TRT Channel | Speaker | 6 years 3 months | Osmaniye Prison |
Hanım Büşra Erdal | Zaman News | Correspondent and Columnist | 6 years 3 months | Bakırköy Women’s Closed Prison |
Harun Çümen | Zaman News | Correspondent | 7 years 6 months | Balıkesir Kepsut Prison |
Hatice Duman | Atılım News | Owner and Managing Editor | Life sentenced | Bakırköy Women’s Closed Prison/Istanbul |
Haydar Tatlı | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Bayburt | ||
Hidayet Karaca | Samanyolu Channel | Broadcasting Group President | Aggravated life imprisonment | Silivri No 9 Type F Prison |
Hüdaverdi Yıldırım | Bugün Channel | Editor | Silivri Prison | |
İbrahim Halil Öztürkeri | TRT Channel | Production Broadcast Officer | 8 years 9 months | |
İbrahim Karakaş | Yeni Yaşam News | |||
İlhan Toprak | Anadolu Agency | Presidential Correspondent | Sincan Prison | |
İsmail Çoban | Azadiya Welat News | Managing Editor | 5 years | Diyarbakır Type D Prison |
İsmail Ufakdemir | TRT Channel | Correspondent | ||
Kadir Güngör | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Trabzon | ||
Kamuran Sunbat | Dicle News Agency | The Correspondent of Çukurova | 11 years 11 months | Şırnak Type T Prison |
Kazım Canlan | Cihan | Ankara News Manager | 7 yıl 6 months | Tarsus Prison |
Kenan Duman | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of İzmir | ||
Kenan Karavil | Radio Dünya | Editor-in-Chief | 25 years | Tekirdağ Prison |
M. Şahin Fidan | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of İzmir | ||
Mahmut Gülecan | Özgür Halk Magazine | Managing Editor | Silivri No 5 Prison | |
Mehmet Akif Öztürk | TRT Channel | Technician | Sincan Prison | |
Mehmet Ariaslan | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Amasya | Balıkesir Type L Prison | |
Mehmet Aslan | Mezopotamya Agent | Correspondent | Antalya Type L Closed Prison | |
Mehmet Baransu | Taraf News | Correspondent | Silivri Prison | |
Mehmet Bilal Çolak | TRT Channel | Deputy Head of Foreign Publications Department | Elazığ Prison | |
Mehmet Güleş | Dicle News Agency | 9 years 4 months 15 days | Elazığ Prison | |
Mehmet Özbek | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Edirne | ||
Mehmet Şirin Çoban | TRT Channel | Broadcast Production Officer | ||
Melih Gasgar | Cihan | Correspondent | Balıkesir Kepsut Prison | |
Mesut Mercan | Zaman News | The Correspondent of Afyon | 9 years 9 months | |
Mikdat Aydemir | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Trabzon | ||
Muhammed Kara | TRT Channel | Broadcast Production Officer | ||
Muhammed Sait Kuloğlu | subuohaber.com | Publication Editor | 7.5 years | Silivri Prison |
Muhammet Ali Sarı | TRT Channel | The Correspondent of Giresun | ||
Muhsin Gün | Habertürk Website | Editor | ||
Muhyettin Avcı | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Samsun | ||
Murat Çapan | Nokta Magazine | Managing Editor | 22 years 6 months | Kandıra Prison |
Murat Dağdeviren | Demokrat Gebze News | Franchisee/Columnist | 7 years 6 months | Bandırma Prison |
Murat Şimşek | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Şanlıurfa | ||
Mustafa Bektaş | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Kocaeli | ||
Mustafa Demir | Anadolu Agency | Correspondent | Kahraman Maraş Prison | |
Mustafa Egüven | TRT Kurdi Channel | Broadcast Production Officer | ||
Mustafa Erkan Acar | Bugün Newspaper | News Director | 7 years 6 months | Silivri Prison |
Mustafa Gök | Ekmek ve Adalet Magazine | The Representative of Ankara | Aggravated life imprisonment | |
Mustafa Gökkılıç | Habertürk Channel | Correspondent | ||
Mustafa Pınar | TRT Channel | The Correspondent of Adana | Batman Prison | |
Mustafa Ünal | TRT Channel | Technical Director | ||
Mustafa Ünal | Zaman Newspaper | The Representative of Ankara | 10.5 years | Silivri Prison |
Mutlu Çölgeçen | Sabah Newspaper | Editorial Coordinator | 7 years 6 months | Silivri Prison |
Nadir Yücel | Çorum Yıldız | Editor in-Chief | Çorum Prison | |
Nazan Sala | ||||
Necati Bulut | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Marmara Region | Van Type T Prison/Van | |
Necati Vefa İlhan | TRT Channel | Productor | ||
Nedim Türfent | Dicle News Agency | Editor | 8 years 9 months | Van Prison |
Niyazi Özkan | TRT Channel | Correspondent | Sincan Prison | |
Nuh Gönültaş | Bugün Newspaper | Columnist | Silivri No 9 Prison | |
Oğuz Usluer | Habertürk Channel | News Broadcasting Coordinator | 7 years 6 months | Silivri No 9 Closed Prison |
Ömer Faruk Yıldız | TRT Channel | Broadcast Production Officer | ||
Öner Erek | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Çorum | ||
Orhan Tokmak | TRT Channel | Correspondent | Sincan Prison | |
Osman Çalık | Samanyolu News Radio | Publication Director | 7 years 6 months | Silivri Prison |
Osman Taha Sirkeci | TRT Channel | Technician | Sincan Prison | |
Özcan Keser | TRT Channel | İstanbul News Editor | 9 years | Tekirdağ Muratlı Prison |
Özden Kınık | TRT Channel | TRT Radio News Manager | 8 years 1 month 15 days | Sincan Prison |
Özlem Seyhan | Jinha | Editor | Diyarbakır Prison | |
Recai Özkaymak | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Erzurum | ||
Savaş Ak | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Ordu | ||
Sebahattin Gürbüz | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Yalova | ||
Sedat Laçiner | Haberdar | Author/Academician | 9 years 3 months 15 days | Çanakkale Type E Prison |
Şehriban Abi | Jinnews | Correspondent | Van Type T Prison/Van | |
Serkan Özkan | TRT Channel | Editing Assembly Operator | ||
Serkan Sedat Güray | Burç FM | Programmer/English Teacher | Silivri Prison | |
Seyid Kılıç | TRT Haber Channel | 7 years 6 months | Silivri Prison | |
Seyithan Akyüz | Azadiya Welat News | The Representative of Adana | 12 years | İzmir No 1 Type F Prison |
Soner Karabulut | The News of Fersude | Correspondent | ||
Şükrü Tunçdemir | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Antalya | ||
Talip Bayram | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of Agean Region | ||
Tülay Canbolat | Sabah Newspaper | Correspondent | ||
Tuncay Akkoyun | Cihan | Editor | Silivri Prison | |
Turgut Usul | TRT Channel | Correspondent | Sincan Prison/ Ankara | |
Ufuk Şanlı | Vatan Newspaper | Author | 7 years 6 months | Silivri Prison |
Ünsal Sabancı | TRT Channel | The Correspondent of Erdek | ||
Vahit Yazgan | Zaman Newspaper | The Representative of İzmir Region | 9 years 8 months | İzmir Kırklar Prison |
Yakup Şimşek | Zaman Newspaper | The Director of Brand Marketing | 11 years 3 months | Silivri Prison |
Yavuz Karaduman | Anadolu Agency | The Correspondent of Tekirdağ | ||
Yılmaz Kahraman | Özgür Halk Magazine | Editor | 13 years 6 months | Silivri No 5 Prison |
Zafer Özcan | Bugün Newspaper | Economy Reporter | Akhisar Süleymanlı Prison | |
Ziya Ataman | Dicle News Agency | Correspondent | Van Type M Closed Prison | |
Ziya Tek | Cihan Media Distribution | The Representative of İzmir |
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