Turkey blocks media and activists’ accounts en masse
Human rights organisations say at least 1,270 X accounts were hit by Turkish blocking orders in September.
Listen to this article
There is no audio version yet. Request one and an AI voice will read the article aloud.
Read by an AI voice.
Turkish authorities have had hundreds of accounts and websites belonging to journalists, media organisations and civil society groups blocked in recent weeks. A coalition of 21 human rights and media organisations is calling on X and Meta to challenge such orders.
According to Human Rights Watch, at least 1,270 accounts on X were hit by blocking orders in September alone. Together, the accounts had around 35 million followers. Human Rights Watch says X carried out at least 90 per cent of the orders by making the accounts inaccessible only in Turkey.
According to the organisations, the blocks affect independent media, journalists, academics, LGBTQI organisations and women’s rights organisations, among others. The website and X account of the news organisation T24 were also blocked. A Turkish court referred to 118 articles that, according to the order, would be harmful to the family structure and the development of young people.
The Turkish government cites provisions on national security, public order and the prevention of crime as the basis for the restrictions. The human rights organisations say the orders often fail to make clear which specific post would pose the danger or why an entire account should be blocked.
The organisations are asking platforms to provide users with the underlying court orders, assess their proportionality and challenge blocks when the reasoning is insufficient. According to Human Rights Watch, X and Meta have yet to provide a public explanation of how they are dealing with the recent wave of restrictions.
The case comes against the backdrop of broader pressure on independent media in Turkey. The government says it is acting against misinformation and threats to public order. Critics, by contrast, see a pattern in which broad legal terms are used to restrict reporting and online debate.
The development is relevant to Dutch readers because platforms are increasingly adjusting access to news and political information on a country-by-country basis. A block in Turkey does not mean that the accounts disappear worldwide, but users in the country may be unable to access information that remains publicly available elsewhere. The sources consulted provide no indication that the Turkish authorities have already reversed the new blocks.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Turkish authorities have issued blocking orders against hundreds of accounts and websites.
- Human rights organisations say the orders are insufficiently justified and disproportionate.
- The government cites public order, national security and the prevention of crime.
- X and Meta restrict access in Turkey to some of the accounts concerned.
Left
Arguments Emphasises that broad blocks on media and civil society organisations undermine public scrutiny of those in power. Restrictions should be exceptional, specifically justified and open to review by independent courts.
Values Freedom of expression, human rights, pluralism and the protection of minorities.
Consequences Without strong safeguards, citizens may find it harder to reach news and aid organisations; platforms should therefore act more transparently and be better equipped to defend decisions legally.
Centre
Arguments Acknowledges that governments may combat online threats, crime and disinformation, but calls for individual assessments of content and an effective right of appeal. Blocking an entire account is defensible only when less far-reaching measures are insufficient.
Values The rule of law, proportionality, public safety and institutional oversight.
Consequences Targeted measures can combine safety and free information, but require independent review and clear reporting by platforms.
Right
Arguments Emphasises the state’s responsibility to protect public order and vulnerable groups online. From this perspective, platforms should comply with court orders as long as they have been issued under Turkish law.
Values Order, national sovereignty, the protection of families and enforcement of the law.
Consequences Rapid blocks can limit harmful content, but broad application can also make legitimate journalism and opposition inaccessible.
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 scale of the blocks and the organisations involved are based on the statement by Human Rights Watch and its partners and are described by AP. The text makes clear which claims come from the government and which come from critics.
- confirmed According to human rights organisations, at least 1,270 X accounts were affected in September. — This is stated in the declaration by Human Rights Watch and ARTICLE 19. source
- confirmed Together, the accounts had around 35 million followers. — Human Rights Watch cites this total. source
- confirmed T24 was blocked on the basis of an order that mentioned 118 articles. — This is stated in the HRW statement. source
- confirmed The Turkish government refers to public order and national security. — AP and HRW describe these as the legal grounds cited. source
- confirmed X and Meta have not provided a public explanation of the recent blocks. — Human Rights Watch reports that neither platform had responded to requests for comment. source
Editor's note
The figures and examples come from a joint statement by human rights organisations, independently reported by AP. The Turkish authorities’ reasoning is presented as their justification; the assessment that this amounts to censorship is attributed to the organisations.Sources
- Türkiye: End Internet Censorship — Human Rights Watch
- Rights groups urge social media platforms to resist Turkish orders to block accounts — Associated Press
- Turkey - X Transparency Center — X
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „turkije media”
- NU.nl — „turkije media”
- De Telegraaf — „turkije media”