Story perspectives

Turkey shuts Halk TV amid protests and journalist arrests

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 11:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Journalists Protest Crackdown

Journalists and supporters rallied in Istanbul and Ankara to protest growing media pressure.
Police reported at least 3,000 protesters on Istanbul’s Asian side and a similar crowd in Ankara.
The Turkish Journalists’ Union said 11 journalists have been jailed in the past two months.
Authorities raided Halk TV, halted its broadcasts and installed a government-appointed administrator.
T24’s website and social-media accounts were shut down over alleged “LGBT propaganda.”

Summary

Carney Announces Partnership

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a Canada-Turkey strategic partnership during his first bilateral visit.
Carney said cooperation with Turkey does not imply approval of its human-rights record.
Amnesty International Canada urged Carney to demand the release of civil-society leader Osman Kavala.
The European Court of Human Rights ordered Kavala’s release in August 2025, but Turkey has not complied.

History

Historical Context

After the failed 15 July 2016 coup, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan invoked emergency powers, dismissing 2,745 judges and shutting 16 TV channels, 23 radio stations and dozens of newspapers, including Halk TV. The purge set a precedent for later raids on outlets such as T24, which now spark protests in Istanbul and Ankara and draw EU criticism.

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Journalists Protest Crackdown

Journalists and supporters rallied in Istanbul and Ankara to protest growing media pressure.
Police reported at least 3,000 protesters on Istanbul’s Asian side and a similar crowd in Ankara.
The Turkish Journalists’ Union said 11 journalists have been jailed in the past two months.
Authorities raided Halk TV, halted its broadcasts and installed a government-appointed administrator.
T24’s website and social-media accounts were shut down over alleged “LGBT propaganda.”

1 / 3