Mezopotamya Women Journalists' Association (MKG) announced the "Report on Rights Violations against Women Journalists in February 2025". In the report, it was pointed out that the pressures against journalists have been increasing and journalistic activities have been criminalised. The report stated that journalists are subjected to violence, detentions, unlawful trials and censorship and reads,  "Freedom of the press is the fundamental right not only of journalists but of the whole society."

 

Report reads, "As MKG, we condemn all kinds of pressure against the independent press and once again emphasise our determination to defend press freedom. Independent journalis is the guarantee of the public's right to receive news. However, journalists are subjected to double pressure both in their profession and due to gender inequality. This situation threatens the democratic rights not only of journalists but also of the whole society. We call on all democratic public opinion to speak out against these severe attacks on the journalism profession and to increase solidarity with the independent press."

 

The report revealed that 3 journalists were attacked in February, 4 journalists were detained and 2 of them were arrested, 5 journalists faced legal pressure. 4 websites were shut down and 9 digital media platforms were banned from access.

 

ARRESTED JOURNALISTS

 

The report stressed that 10 women journalists are imprisoned. Name of the imprisoned journalists are as follows: "Elif Akgül, Elif Ersoy (Editor-in-Chief of Yürüyüş Magazine), Eylem Babayiğit, Hatice Duman (Owner and Editor-in-Chef of Atılım Newspaper), Necla Demir Arvas, Özden Kınık (former TRT employee), Öznur Değer (News Director of JINNEWS), Rahime Karvar, Reyhan Hacıoğlu (Reporter of the Yeni Yaşam Newspaper) and Züleyha Müldür (Reporter of the Etkin News Agency)"