Turkey has blocked access to one of the country’s leading independent news websites, claiming it published content amounting to “LGBT propaganda” amid an escalating crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights and media freedom.
Authorities ordered the closure of news outlet T24’s website and social media accounts as part of an investigation known as “My Family is Safe”, according to a statement from the Turkish Justice Ministry. Officials claimed the outlet had published 118 pieces of content over the past year that they considered to be “LGBT propaganda”.
The decision was issued by Istanbul’s 1st Criminal Court of Peace and sent for implementation to the country’s cyber security authorities. T24 confirmed that access to its website had been blocked in Turkey and said it would challenge the ruling.
The move comes just weeks after Turkish authorities launched a sweeping operation targeting LGBTQ+ organisations, activists and community spaces. Police raids were carried out at bars, nightclubs and private homes as part of a wider investigation that the government says is aimed at protecting children and family values.
T24 editor Buse Sogutlu described the shutdown as an attack on journalism rather than a response to the outlet’s coverage of LGBTQ+ issues. Speaking to AFP, she said the publication had been subjected to a social media harassment campaign in recent days and argued the closure represented a wider assault on independent reporting.
According to reports, the court justified the ban by alleging T24 had published content “aimed at weakening the Turkish family structure”.
The decision has sparked condemnation from journalists’ organisations and opposition politicians. Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel accused the government of repression and questioned how a news outlet relied upon by millions could be shut down despite constitutional protections for press freedom. Meanwhile, a coalition of 12 Turkish journalists’ associations described the ruling as a “grave attack” on journalism and called for it to be reversed immediately.
Rights groups and international observers have also criticised Turkey’s recent actions against LGBTQ+ organisations. The European Union has expressed concern over arrests and website blocks linked to the investigation, while Human Rights Watch has warned that the crackdown threatens freedom of expression and other fundamental rights.
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