Turkey's Disinformation Law Faces Growing Criticism from Press Freedom Groups

Severity: Medium (Score: 55.9)

Sources: Ifex, Bianet

Summary

On April 28, 2026, twenty-five press and freedom of expression organizations condemned Turkey's 'disinformation law', which has led to the arrest and prosecution of at least 83 journalists since its enactment in October 2022. The law, formally known as Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code, is criticized for its vague definitions and broad application, allowing authorities to suppress legitimate journalism. Prominent journalists İsmail Arı and Alican Uludağ are among those frequently targeted, with both currently imprisoned. The organizations demand the immediate release of all journalists detained under this law and the complete repeal of Article 217/A. The situation reflects a broader trend of legal pressures on media freedom in Turkey, which is viewed as increasingly hostile to independent journalism. Recent reports indicate that the law's application has intensified, raising alarms about the state of press freedom in the country. Key Points: • Turkey's disinformation law has led to the prosecution of 83 journalists since October 2022. • The law is criticized for its vague definitions, enabling arbitrary suppression of journalism. • Press freedom organizations are calling for the repeal of the disinformation law and release of imprisoned journalists.

Key Entities

• Turkey (country)