Halk TV Journalists Face Legal Action Amid Press Freedom Concerns

Turkish authorities have taken Halk TV’s Editor-in-Chief Suat Toktaş and Program Coordinator Kürşad Oğuz to the prosecutor’s office as part of an ongoing investigation, marking the latest development in a wave of journalist detentions.

Detentions Linked to Expert Witness Case

The arrests follow the detention of journalists Barış Pehlivan, Seda Selek, and Serhan Asker on Jan. 28 over allegations of improperly recording and sharing a conversation with Satılmış Büyükcanayakın, an expert witness in ongoing court cases against main opposition CHP mayors.

  • Pehlivan broadcasted a phone call with Büyükcanayakın on Jan. 27, which the prosecutor’s office claims was recorded and shared without authorization.
  • The journalists are charged with “recording and disclosing private conversations” and “attempting to influence an expert witness.”

Legal Proceedings Intensify

Toktaş and Oğuz were taken to Istanbul’s Çağlayan Courthouse for questioning. Meanwhile:

  • Selek and Asker were released under judicial control.
  • Pehlivan remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.
  • Toktaş, Oğuz, and Pehlivan were referred to the criminal court of peace with a request for their arrest.

Selek later defended her actions, stating, “We are being prosecuted merely for practicing journalism.”

Bar Associations Condemn Detentions

On Jan. 29, bar associations from 52 provinces issued a statement criticizing the increasing legal pressure on journalists, noting that 15 journalists have been detained in Turkey since Dec. 22, 2024.

The case has sparked renewed concerns over press freedom, with critics arguing that the detentions aim to silence investigative journalism rather than uphold legal integrity.