Access Restrictions Imposed on Numerous Social Media Accounts and Press Organizations in Turkey
In Turkey, numerous social media accounts belonging to journalists, media organizations, trade unions, and human rights organizations have been blocked from access within the last 24 hours.
The scope of access restriction decisions targeting social media accounts and websites has expanded across Turkey. Within just 24 hours, peace criminal judgeships issued access restriction decisions regarding dozens of X and Instagram accounts belonging to journalists, media organizations, academics, trade unions, and rights organizations.
The Scope of Access Restrictions is Expanding
The scope of access restrictions imposed on social media accounts in Turkey has continued to expand rapidly in recent times. Following initial decisions targeting the accounts of LGBTI+ associations and activists, numerous accounts—including those of journalists, media organizations, academics, legal professionals, trade unions, and human rights organizations—have been blocked from access.
Decision by the Bakırköy 4th Criminal Judgeship of Peace
According to information provided by the Freedom of Expression Association's EngelliWeb platform, the Bakırköy 4th Criminal Judgeship of Peace imposed access restrictions on 58 accounts with its decision dated September 13, 2026. Within the scope of an investigation conducted by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, accounts alleged to have shared content deemed obscene and constituting LGBTI propaganda were reported to the Information and Communication Technologies Authority.
Journalists and Organizations on the List
Among the accounts facing access restrictions are the Evrensel newspaper, Amnesty International Turkey, Academics for Peace, the Media and Law Studies Association, and the Ali İsmail Korkmaz Foundation. Furthermore, the accounts of well-known journalists such as Fırat Fıstık, Özlem Akarsu Çelik, Barbaros Altuğ, Sena Yazıbağlı, Yıldız Tar, and Tamer Doğan were also included in the scope.
No Official Notification Made to Institutions
Officials from Amnesty International Turkey and ALİKEV stated that no legal notification had been made to them and that they did not know on what grounds their accounts were blocked. Meanwhile, Evrensel Editor-in-Chief Hakkı Özdal stated that the X platform had provided a notification regarding the request of the Presidency of Cybersecurity.
Practices Began on September 12
The wave of access restrictions began on September 12 with the websites and social media accounts of LGBTI+ organizations such as Kaos GL, Lambdaistanbul, and Pembe Hayat. Following the decisions of the Istanbul and Mersin criminal judgeships of peace, an additional 32 X accounts belonging to university gender equality communities were blocked on September 13.
Reaction from DİSK Basın-İş to the Decisions
DİSK Basın-İş reacted to the access restrictions imposed on the accounts of journalists and non-governmental organizations, arguing that the practices have reached an institutionalized dimension of censorship. The union called on the relevant platform to revoke the decisions and lift the access restrictions.