Thousands in Turkey rally against escalating crackdown on media

Thousands rallied in Istanbul and Ankara on Saturday against what they described as growing pressure on journalists in Turkey, including arrests, media shutdowns and the appointment of state administrators. The Turkish Journalists Union reported 11 journalists jailed in the past two months and several media outlets shut down.

Thousands rallied in Istanbul and Ankara on Saturday against what they described as growing pressure on journalists in Turkey, including arrests, media shutdowns and the appointment of state administrators. The protests, composed mainly of journalists, rights activists and opposition party representatives, saw chants of "Enough!" and "We will not be silenced." In Ankara, at least 3,000 protesters gathered, according to a police count. The Turkish Journalists Union reported that 11 journalists have been jailed in the past two months and several media outlets shut down. Earlier this month, police raided Turkey's most-watched news channel, Halk TV, halting broadcasts and installing a government-appointed administrator. The government has repeatedly insisted that it does not arrest and imprison journalists for doing their job. The article also includes a lengthy appeal for reader financial support from the outlet itself.