Turkiye: Authorities Detain Seda Selek and Halk TV Journalists in Ongoing Press Crackdown
January 28, 2025 - Turkiye, Istanbul
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the detention of Halk TV journalist Seda Selek.
Police took Selek from her home like a hardened criminal—on the day she was set to celebrate her daughter's birthday.
She is among several Halk TV journalists targeted for reporting on an expert witness in lawsuits against opposition mayors. Barış Pehlivan & Serhan Asker were also detained.
Authorities accuse them of "attempting to influence an expert witness" and "disclosing private conversations"—charges that carry lengthy prison sentences.
We denounce the ongoing criminalization of journalism by Turkish authorities. Selek and her colleagues must be immediately and unconditionally released.
WPF strongly condemns Russia for the killing of Ukrainian journalist Tetyana Kulyk in a drone strike. She is the 10th woman journalist murdered by Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
WPF condemns the arrest of journalist Elif Akgül. Criminalizing journalism under the guise of security concerns is an attack on press freedom.
WPF is deeply concerned about the disappearance of British journalist Charlotte Peet. The freelance correspondent, who has reported for Al Jazeera and The Times, went missing after arriving in São Paulo.
WPF condemns the violent attack on journalist María Fernanda Martínez by supporters of the Libre party in Honduras.
WPF denounces police officers for unjust detentions of journalists and excessive use of force. We demand accountability from authorities.
Kutaisi City Court fines 8 journalists— including Kutaisi Pos' Eka Kukhalashvili, — for protesting outside a judge’s house.
Special operations police violently detain JIN News journalist Öznur Değer after raiding her family home in Kızıltepe, Mardin.
Jahangir has been targeted for her show discussing fake blasphemy accusations used to blackmail people.
Investigative journalist and editor-in-chief of Neovlivní, Sabina Slonková, and her family placed under police protection due to serious threats.
WPF condemns assault on journalist. Demands police take action.
WPF strongly condemns the politically motivated sentencing of journalists Chadha Hadj Mbarek (5 years) and Chahrazad Akacha (27 years in absentia).
WPF strongly condemns the detention of journalist Shahnaz Baylargizi. The latest in the alarming state crackdown on independent media in the country.
On January 30, 2025, police detained Telex journalists Noémi Gombos and Dániel Simor for attempting to question PM Viktor Orbán.
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the detention of Halk TV journalist Seda Selek.
Journalist and Siirt Municipality Co-Mayor Sofya Alağaş has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization."
Five police officers detained Exitosa Noticias's Fátima Constantino while she was reporting on traffic chaos in Chiclayo.
WPF strongly denounces the deportation of the award-winning journalist. Demands answers from Maltese authorities.
WPF denounces the Delhi court’s order for police to officially investigate Washington Post journalist Rana Ayyub, potentially leading to further legal action against her.
Gisella Bayona is facing identity theft—imposters solicit money & contacts in her name. Bayona reported the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, but no action has been taken.
Medya Haber journalist Eylem Babayiğit detained after a raid on her home in Istanbul.
WPF demands the immediate release of ETHA reporter Züleyha Müldür, detained during widespread police raids this morning.
Police detain 6 Kurdish journalists following raids. Three women journalists Reyhan Hacıoğlu (Van), Rahime Karvar and Necla Demir were later arrested on terror-related charges.
WPF celebrates the release of Palestinian journalists Bushra Al-Taweel and Rula Hassanein as part of the first phase of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal.
Palestinian Authority security forces detain Al-Jazeera journalist Givara Budeiri and her cameraperson while reporting live outside Israel’s Ofer prison.
Women Press Freedom welcomes the decision of Paris' anti-terrorism judges not to indict Disclose journalist Ariane Lavrilleux.
Ministry of Internal Affairs issue an arrest warrant for exiled journalist Alesya Marokhovskaya, chief editor of the independent investigative outlet IStories
Russian drone targets journalist Margarita Potapova and her Ukrainian Witness film crew near Zaporizhzhia.
Voice of America reporter Ulviyya Ali has been banned from travel after police interrogation over the MeydanTV case—despite having no ties to the outlet.
WPF strongly condemns the legal harassment of journalist Anna Nini and Press Project publisher Konstantinos Poulis for their coverage of a high-profile trial in Greece.
Israeli airstrike kills journalist and photographer Ahlam Al Nafed while she was walking to Al Shifa Hospital on January 14, 2025.
