The Istanbul Branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD), which issued a written statement on the 3rd of May which is the World Press Freedom Day. The statement said that ‘we want to end judicial harassment and release the detained journalists.

The statement drew attention to the Investigations, detentions, trials, and arrests of journalists. Concealing facts, manipulating facts, and reporting false news and information to the public carries the intention of manipulating public opinion and to incorrectly guide public perception, the statement said.

IHD Istanbul Branch's statement is as follows:

With the freedom of the press, which is defined as essential to democracy, freedom of thought and expression, the right to hear, report and know the truth, media outlets and journalists are subjected to more and more pressure by despot, repressive administrations all over the world. Press freedom is one of the most violated areas of freedom in Turkey.

According to this year's Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Turkey is again at the forefront of journalistic arrests. It has ranked 149th amongst 180 countries. Investigations, detentions, trials, and arrests of journalists who exposed the truth that the government was trying to conceal continued.

According to the Turkish Journalists' Association (TGC), 28 journalists were imprisoned in Turkey in 2021 and 475 journalists appeared before a court.

According to the 2021-2022 Press Freedom Report of the Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS);

(TURKSTAT) The overall unemployment rate in 2021 is 12%, while the unemployment rate among journalism graduates is 18.3%.Although the number of journalists with official press cards has increased compared to last year, only 68.72 percent of registered journalists have the card. With uninsured or self-employed journalists, this rate is even lower.In the last year, thirty-one journalists were detained for a total of 52 days.Sixty journalists are under investigation.In 128 cases, 273 journalists were tried.The journalists were sentenced to a total of 75 years, 5 months, and 26 days in prison.Fifty-seven journalists were physically assaulted; Thirty-two journalists were verbally threatened.It was decided to block access to 54 news sites and 1355 news content and to remove 19 news from the content.The Supreme Council of Radio and Television (RTUK) issued a total administrative fine of 10,427,902 TL over 61 separate decisions.In 2021, 559 press cards were cancelled. According to TGS's Communications Directorate, 16,429 people have presidential press cards.The Press Association has given newspapers a total of 25 days of suspension.

Media workers, who are 95 percent under government control, are forced to work uninsured under pressure from unemployment and on wages below the minimum wage.

 Journalists, for their journalistic activities, are being accused of crimes such as disrupting the unity of the state, organisation management, being a member of an organisation, committing crimes on behalf of an organisation, carrying out propaganda activities on behalf of the organisation, insulting the president, belittling government organisations, praising crime and criminals, incitement to commit a crime, inciting hatred and hostility, violating the confidentiality of the investigation, insulting and slandering the state, revealing state secrets. In addition to criminal and compensation cases, and charges they are also targeted and subjected to attacks.

 As well as the pressures from the government the Journalists are also subjected to actual repression, high compensation cases and judicial pressure by large companies engaged in corruption and irregularities.

These pressures at aimed at concealing facts, directing the public with false information and news, and changing public perception.

‘’On the occasion of the World Press Day, we request freedom for the press, and an end to all pressures put on the press and press outlets, including pressures linked to political custody, economic and judicial repression. We also demand an improvement to the working conditions of journalists, freedom of association to remove the barriers, to end judicial harassment of journalists and end to their detention and we want the journalists released." (EVRENSEL DAILY)