Turkey has blocked access to 82 X accounts operated by Kurdish politicians, journalists, publishers, and media houses, citing ‘terrorist propaganda’ as the reason. This move has sparked criticism from rights groups and international organizations, who see it as an attack on press freedom and freedom of expression.
Key Takeaways
- 82 X accounts blocked: The accounts include those of Kurdish politicians, journalists, and media houses.
- Court decision: The court in Gumushane province ordered the block on August 20, citing national security concerns.
- International criticism: Rights groups and international organizations have condemned the move as an attack on press freedom.
Background
On August 20, a court in Gumushane province, northwestern Turkey, ordered the blocking of 82 X accounts. These accounts were operated by Kurdish politicians, journalists, publishers, and media houses. The court’s decision was based on a request from the Gumushane Provincial Gendarmerie Command, which claimed that the accounts contained content supporting terrorist organizations.
Affected Accounts
Among the blocked accounts are:
- The honorary president of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)
- Al Monitor’s chief correspondent Amberin Zaman
- Yeni Yasam newspaper
- Cansu Ozdemir, a German politician of Kurdish descent and leader of the Left in Hamburg
Legal and Social Implications
Rights groups argue that the Turkish government, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, frequently uses the courts to target critics. A report by Free Web Turkey identified over 219,000 items of online content blocked by court order in 2023 alone. This includes nearly 198,000 internet domains, 14,680 news articles, over 5,600 social media posts, and 743 social media accounts.
Broader Context
The blocking of these X accounts is part of a broader pattern of repression against journalists and media in Turkey. On August 26, 19 international and Turkish media and rights organizations called on the Turkish government to end its harassment of critical journalists. This came after a court upheld a 20-month prison sentence for journalist Bulent Mumay, who was convicted of spreading personal data.
Press Freedom in Turkey
Turkey ranks 158th out of 180 countries in the 2024 press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The organization has noted that authoritarianism is gaining ground in Turkey, undermining media pluralism and using all possible means to silence critics.
Conclusion
The blocking of these X accounts has drawn significant international criticism and highlighted ongoing concerns about press freedom and freedom of expression in Turkey. Rights groups continue to call for an end to the harassment and censorship of journalists and media outlets in the country.
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