Full Breakdown
Turkey’s Expanding Crackdown on LGBTQ+ Expression and Independent Media
By Drooid · · How we work
Blocking of T24 News Portal
On October 1, a court in Istanbul ordered the blocking of the independent news website T24 and its social-media accounts. Prosecutors said the outlet had published 118 pieces of content over the previous year that constituted “LGBT propaganda.” The order was issued as part of the “My Family Is Safe” investigation, a broader campaign targeting LGBTQ+ groups and activists.
Background & Context
The “My Family Is Safe” operation began in September and has involved raids on LGBTQ+ organisations, the detention of dozens of individuals, and the shutdown of online platforms. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has framed LGBTQ+ visibility as a threat to family values, a stance he reiterated at the United Nations General Assembly.
Data & Statistics
- Prosecutors cited 118 items as “LGBT propaganda.”
- Dozens of people have been detained; 16 were initially jailed pending trial.
- Authorities blocked at least 147 X/Twitter accounts that shared content about Turkey’s fund crisis and 93 accounts in a separate order, with an additional 40 accounts blocked by the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
- The blocked accounts collectively had an estimated 2.65 million followers, according to EngelliWeb.
- Reporters Without Borders ranked Turkey 163 out of 180 countries in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index.
Official Statements & Responses
Turkish prosecutors described the T24 material as “propaganda” that violated broadcast and free-expression laws. Yildiz Tar, editor-in-chief of Kaos GL, rejected the label, saying her reporting on LGBTQ+ rights and post-earthquake experiences was objective journalism.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution calling on Turkey to release those detained for human-rights work and to refrain from anti-LGBT legislation. The European Union similarly urged Turkey to uphold freedom of expression and media freedom.
On-the-Ground Reports
Riot police were photographed confronting LGBTQ+ activists attempting to gather for a pride parade in Istanbul. Journalist Tugba Tekerek was jailed pending trial over an article for Kaos GL, prompting press-freedom groups to call for her release.
Pop singer Mabel Matiz (real name Fatih Karaca) was indicted on obscenity charges for a same-sex dance scene in his video “Ha Leylim.” Prosecutors argued the scene violated public-morality standards under Article 226 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Comedian Deniz Goktas was convicted of “insulting” President Erdogan and “insulting religious values” for jokes in his “Dead Sea” show. He received a 19-month sentence but was released pending appeal.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total number of X/Twitter accounts blocked: one report cites 147, another 93, and a further order targeted 40 additional accounts. A list of the 118 alleged “LGBT propaganda” items has not been published.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Dictator is not an insult: it is a political characterization,” — Deniz Goktas
What’s Next
T24’s legal team plans to appeal the blocking order, with the hearing scheduled for the upcoming week. The cases against Mabel Matiz and Deniz Goktas remain pending, and further legal actions under the “My Family Is Safe” investigation are expected.