Istanbul, Turkey – In a dramatic escalation of its crackdown on political dissent, Turkey has arrested 18 journalists amid protests against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The arrests, which have drawn widespread international condemnation, underscore the country’s ongoing suppression of independent journalism and press freedom.

The journalists were detained for their coverage of mass protests sparked by the controversial arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul’s mayor and a leading opposition figure, who was taken into custody on corruption charges just days before being nominated as a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Protesters have accused the Erdoğan government of using the judiciary to target political opponents and suppress dissent.

The wave of arrests began last Monday, when 11 journalists were detained in dawn raids while covering the protests in Istanbul. The following day, another 7 reporters were arrested, including veteran AFP photojournalist Yasin Akgül, who had been documenting the demonstrations. Akgül’s arrest has prompted AFP to issue a statement condemning the move, calling it a “serious attack on media freedom” and demanding his immediate release.

Among the arrested journalists is Joakim Medin, a Swedish reporter for Dagens ETC, who was detained upon his arrival in Turkey. Medin faces charges of “membership in an armed terrorist organization” and “insulting the president”—accusations that his newspaper has fiercely denied, stating that Medin was simply practicing journalism.

The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), a Turkish nonprofit focused on free speech, confirmed that at least six other journalists were detained during Tuesday’s wave of arrests. Their detentions highlight the growing risks journalists face in Turkey, where press freedom has been increasingly curtailed under Erdoğan’s leadership.

Government’s Stranglehold on Media Freedom

The latest crackdown is part of a broader trend of media suppression in Turkey. Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House have consistently ranked Turkey as one of the world’s worst offenders when it comes to media freedom, citing increasing censorship, state control over much of the media, and the imprisonment of journalists critical of the government.

According to Reporters Without Borders, the Turkish government controls about 90% of the country’s media, using tactics such as revoking press credentials and censoring opposing viewpoints. In response to the arrests, international press freedom groups have called on the Turkish government to respect the rights of journalists, release those detained, and ensure a free and independent media landscape.

Turkey’s crackdown comes amid widespread unrest following İmamoğlu’s arrest, with at least 1,418 protesters detained since last Wednesday, according to Turkish authorities. Despite efforts by the government to ban protests and maintain “public order,” opposition leaders, including İmamoğlu, have vowed to continue their fight for democratic freedoms and political reform.

International Outrage and Calls for Action

The arrests of journalists have sparked an outpouring of support from global media organizations. AFP chairman Fabrice Fries demanded the immediate release of Akgül, stressing that he was merely performing his duty as a journalist. In a letter to the Turkish presidency, Fries condemned the arrest as a violation of media freedom.

Human rights organizations are also voicing concern over Turkey’s deteriorating record on freedom of expression. With authorities intensifying their efforts to silence both journalists and protesters, critics warn that Turkey is heading towards a more authoritarian future under Erdoğan’s rule.

As the crackdown deepens, Turkey’s opposition parties, including the Republican People’s Party (CHP), have pledged to continue their fight for democratic rights, announcing plans for a mass rally in Istanbul this Saturday.

The growing tension between Turkey’s ruling government and the media, coupled with the arrests of journalists, has brought the country’s media freedom and human rights practices into the global spotlight. The international community is calling on Turkey’s government to restore press freedoms and ensure that journalists can report freely without fear of arrest or retribution.