In brief
Earlier this week Turkish police entered the headquarters of Halk TV, a channel tied to the opposition Republican People's Party, and surrounded the building with riot gear. The raid, part of an investigation into alleged financial crimes, led to the arrest of several staff members and the appointment of a state administrator. Live broadcasts on the TV platform and its YouTube feed were taken offline moments after the raid. The move has sparked widespread condemnation from legal associations and opposition politicians, who accuse the government of censorship and abuse of power. The incident is the latest in a series of actions against independent media, including the seizure of Tele1 and the blocking of T24's online presence.
On a rainy Wednesday morning, riot police surrounded the office building of Halk TV, the most‑watched pro‑opposition channel in Turkey.
Investigators from the financial crimes unit entered the premises, searched the studios, and detained a group of staff while a state administrator was appointed to oversee the channel’s operations.
Live programs on Halk TV were abruptly cut off, and the channel’s YouTube feed went offline within minutes of the raid.
The crackdown follows a pattern of action against media outlets that have voiced criticism of President Tayyip Erdoğan and his AK Party. Earlier this year the government seized control of Tele1, and T24 was ordered off the internet for publishing material that authorities called “LGBT propaganda.”
Legal authorities and opposition leaders decried the move, describing it as an aggressive exercise of power. Özgür Özel, the founder of the New Party, labelled the raid as “weak and cowardly” and accused the state of using police forces to silence dissent.
Press Freedom Index 2026 placed Turkey at 163 out of 180, with 90% of national media outlets reported to be under government influence. The International Federation of Journalists and the Istanbul Bar Association have called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the raid and the detentions.
