Turkey blocks news platform T24 over LGBT+ content
A Turkish court has ordered the website and social-media accounts of the independent platform to be blocked following an investigation into alleged LGBT+ propaganda.
A Turkish court has ordered access to news platform T24 and its social-media accounts to be blocked. According to Turkey’s Ministry of Justice, the measure concerns 118 publications classified as LGBT+ propaganda; T24 says it has not yet received official notification.
The block is part of a broader Turkish campaign against LGBT+ organisations and activists. According to the Ministry of Justice, the campaign is intended to protect children, the family and public order. In September, several websites and accounts belonging to organisations and independent media were already made inaccessible.
The court that issued the order is a criminal judgeship of peace in Istanbul. The decision is being implemented through Turkey’s Cyber Security Presidency. According to Reuters, the order applies not only to T24’s website but also to the platform’s social-media accounts.
T24 is an independent news outlet reporting on Turkish politics and society. According to Reuters, the platform said it had not yet received official notification of the block. Once that notification arrives, T24 intends to appeal the decision.
The authorities say they found material that falls under the legal definition of LGBT+ propaganda. That is a claim by the ministry; the public sources available for this article contain no independent substantive assessment of the 118 publications mentioned.
The block follows earlier arrests and raids in an investigation that the government presents as protecting family values. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported earlier this month the arrest of journalist Tuğba Tekerek in a separate case involving an article about LGBT+ rights. The organisation says journalists are being intimidated by the campaign.
According to Reuters, the European Union has expressed concern about the arrests and blocks and urged Turkey to respect freedom of expression and media freedom. The case involving T24 therefore illustrates not only how online access can be restricted, but also how journalistic reporting can become part of a broader political struggle over LGBT+ rights and family policy.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- A Turkish court has ordered an access block against T24.
- The Turkish government says the measure protects children, families and public order.
- According to Reuters, T24 says it has not yet received official notification.
- The EU and human-rights organisations have criticised the blocks and arrests.
Left
Arguments The measure is censorship: LGBT+ people and independent media are being pushed out of public debate under the pretext of protecting children. Freedom of expression should instead protect minorities and critical journalism.
Values Equal rights, inclusivity and the protection of minorities.
Consequences Continuing the blocks could intensify self-censorship and move Turkey further away from European human-rights standards.
Centre
Arguments The state may act against criminal content and must protect children, but restrictions must be precise, reviewable and justified by an independent court. A broad block on a news platform therefore requires thorough substantiation and the possibility of appeal.
Values The rule of law, proportionality and institutional oversight.
Consequences A careful procedure can serve both protection and press freedom; an overly broad order undermines confidence in oversight.
Right
Arguments The government has a legitimate duty to protect families and minors from content it considers harmful. Digital platforms should not automatically stand above national legislation and social norms.
Values Public order, family protection and national sovereignty.
Consequences Firm action may win support among conservative groups, but broad application could cause international criticism and diplomatic costs.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The factual core is based on Reuters and a journalist advocacy organisation. Allegations by the Turkish authorities are clearly presented as claims and not as established facts.
- confirmed A Turkish court has ordered T24’s website and social-media accounts to be blocked. — Reuters reports the court order and the implementing authority. source
- confirmed Turkey’s Ministry of Justice calls 118 publications LGBT+ propaganda. — Reuters attributes the number to the Ministry of Justice. source
- confirmed T24 said it had not yet received official notification and intended to appeal. — Reuters attributes this to T24. source
- confirmed The European Union expressed concern about arrests and blocks. — Reuters reports criticism and an appeal from the EU. source
Editor's note
The block, the numbers and the official reason have been attributed to Turkish authorities. According to Reuters, T24 has not yet received official notification; the content of the publications in question has not been independently assessed.Sources
- Turkish court orders access ban on popular news portal over ‘LGBTQ+ propaganda’ — Reuters via Internazionale
- Journalist Tuğba Tekerek arrested in Turkey for ‘obscenity’ during LGBTQ+ crackdown — Committee to Protect Journalists
- Turkey: Digital News Report 2026 — Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „turkije t24”
- RTL Nieuws — „turkije t24”
- NOS — „turkije t24”