Reporters Without Borders went to Istanbul from 13-19 April to investigate recent arrests and detention of journalists and to review the state of press freedom in Turkey. Reporters Without Borders met journalists of all kinds, independent reporters, lawyers for journalists facing court proceedings, members of professional bodies, as well as leading figures from civil society currently campaigning for press freedom.

The organization’s representatives also met with the family and legal representatives of Ahmet Sik, who has been imprisoned since 3 March 2011, and of Hrant Dink, who was murdered on 19 January 2007.

Reporters Without Borders expresses its concern about the state of press freedom in Turkey. According to the organization, even if progress has been made since the 1990s when journalists were being imprisoned in their hundreds, there is a lot still left to do. Turkey is not a country that respects press freedom. Journalists need to have plenty of courage to do their job. It is a dangerous profession which exposes them to the risk of prison, threats and physical violence.

“It is worrying to note that all journalists are under threat, no longer just those who cover the army or Kurdish issues as was the case 15 years ago. We call on the Turkish authorities to make the defense of press freedom a national priority. The prime minister should demonstrate his commitment to defending the right of journalists to express themselves freely. Until now, he has not done so”, said Reporters Without Borders at the conclusion of the six-day investigative visit to Turkey.

The organization calls on the Turkish justice system to severely restrict the recourse to exceptional anti-terror measures against journalists who are only doing their job, in particular articles under the anti-terrorist law providing for prison sentences in cases involving “propaganda for a terrorist organization”.

This very often leads to journalists being brought before special courts for organized crime. According to the organization these articles should urgently be repealed and journalists imprisoned solely for their professional work should be immediately released.