Journalists decry crackdown after Turkey blocks news site over 'LGBT propaganda' - Reuters

A Turkish court has ordered a block on the independent news portal T24, citing 118 pieces of content published over the past year as constituting "LGBT propaganda." The decision, which includes the blocking of the outlet's website and social media accounts, is part of a broader government initiative known as the "My Family is Safe" investigation. Authorities state that this campaign is intended to protect children and family values, though it has faced criticism from the European Union and various rights organizations.

The news outlet is preparing to appeal the court order. Candan Yildiz, the editor in charge at T24, noted that the move represents an expansion of media restrictions that have been intensifying in recent months. The legal action specifically targeted articles covering topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, hate crimes, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals following the 2023 earthquake in Turkey.

Yildiz Tar, the editor-in-chief of the LGBTQ+ news outlet Kaos GL, whose work was among the content cited by authorities, rejected the characterization of the reporting as propaganda. Tar stated that the articles were objective accounts of reality and argued that the court's decision effectively criminalizes standard journalistic coverage of LGBTQ+ issues.

The crackdown has prompted concern among journalists regarding the state of press freedom in the country. Critics of the government's actions argue that the move sets a precedent where objective reporting on specific social groups is treated as a criminal offense. As the legal process moves forward, the case remains a focal point in the ongoing debate over the balance between government-led social policies and the independence of the media.