Listen to the article
Turkish authorities have investigated dozens of journalists under a controversial law aimed at combating disinformation, raising serious concerns about press freedom in the country, according to a new report.
Since the legislation was enacted in October 2022, at least 70 journalists have faced investigation under what critics call the “disinformation law,” the Stockholm Center for Freedom reported, citing local media. Of those investigated, 15 were detained, four were arrested and held in pretrial detention, and 27 were formally indicted.
The most recent case involves İsmail Arı, a reporter for the opposition-aligned BirGün newspaper, who was detained on Saturday and placed in pretrial detention the following day. Authorities allege his reporting spread false information, though specific details about the offending content were not provided.
The controversial legislation introduced Article 217/A to the Turkish Penal Code, creating a new criminal offense for “publicly spreading misleading information.” Those found guilty face prison sentences ranging from one to three years, with potential for enhanced penalties under certain circumstances.
Press freedom advocates and opposition figures have consistently criticized the law since its inception, arguing it has become a tool to silence critical journalism rather than combat actual misinformation. They point to the law’s vague wording, which they say gives prosecutors extraordinary latitude in determining what constitutes “misleading information.”
“What we’re seeing is the criminalization of factual reporting that happens to be inconvenient for those in power,” said one press freedom advocate who requested anonymity due to safety concerns. “The pattern of enforcement suggests this is about controlling the narrative, not protecting the public from falsehoods.”
The government and its allies, however, reject these characterizations. Feti Yıldız, a senior figure in the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which supported the legislation alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), defended the law in February, insisting it “does not target journalists or legitimate reporting.”
Government officials have repeatedly stated the law is necessary to combat the spread of false information, particularly in the digital sphere, where misinformation can spread rapidly and have destabilizing effects.
Several high-profile cases have drawn international attention to the law’s application. Tolga Şardan was detained in 2023 after publishing a report alleging corruption within the judiciary. Sinan Aygül became one of the first journalists convicted under the new legislation. More recently, journalist Alican Uludağ was detained in 2026 in connection with his reporting.
Media freedom in Turkey has deteriorated significantly over the past decade, according to international press freedom organizations. In the 2025 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Turkey ranks 159th out of 180 countries evaluated, placing it among the worst performers globally.
This decline reflects broader concerns about democratic backsliding in Turkey, where independent media outlets have faced increasing pressure through various mechanisms, including economic sanctions, ownership changes, and legal proceedings against journalists and media owners.
Media experts note that the disinformation law represents just one element of a multi-faceted approach to controlling information in the country. They point to the consolidation of media ownership among government allies, the blocking of news websites, and the use of advertising revenue as a political tool as complementary strategies.
As more journalists face investigation under the controversial law, international human rights organizations continue to call for its repeal, arguing it falls short of international standards for freedom of expression and serves primarily as a mechanism for censorship rather than combating actual harmful misinformation.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
9 Comments
This is a concerning development for the state of press freedom in Turkey. Journalists should be able to report the news without fear of prosecution, even if their coverage is critical of the government. The disinformation law seems overly broad and open to abuse.
I agree, this law appears to give the government far too much power to silence dissenting voices in the media. Turkey should reconsider this approach and find a more balanced way to address genuine disinformation without undermining the vital role of journalism.
It’s troubling to see so many journalists facing investigation under this law. Responsible reporting is crucial for a healthy democracy, and these kinds of measures undermine press freedom. Turkey should focus on promoting transparency and accountability rather than silencing the media.
This is a concerning development for press freedom in Turkey. Journalists should be able to report the news without fear of prosecution, even if their coverage is critical of the government. The disinformation law seems overly broad and open to abuse.
This is a worrying trend. While misinformation can be harmful, a law that allows the government to target journalists for their reporting is a dangerous overreach. I hope Turkey will reconsider this approach and find ways to address disinformation that don’t infringe on press freedoms.
The detention and arrest of journalists under this law is extremely concerning. Turkey should be protecting the rights of the press, not using vague laws to crack down on critical reporting. I hope the international community will continue to pressure Turkey to uphold press freedom.
While combating the spread of misinformation is important, this law appears to be a heavy-handed tactic that is being used to silence dissenting voices. Turkey should reconsider this approach and find a more balanced way to address genuine disinformation without infringing on legitimate journalistic activities.
I agree, this law seems to give the government too much power to crack down on critical reporting. Journalists need to be able to do their jobs without the threat of prosecution hanging over them.
While combating misinformation is important, this law seems to be a heavy-handed tactic that is being used to stifle critical reporting. Journalists need to be able to do their jobs without the threat of prosecution hanging over them. Turkey should focus on promoting transparency and accountability rather than cracking down on the media.