Turkey's latest crackdown on independent media targets outlets pushing 'LGBT propaganda'

Turkish authorities have recently intensified their crackdown on independent media, targeting outlets that publish content perceived as "LGBT propaganda." On Wednesday, a court in Istanbul shut down the independent news website T24 and its affiliated social media accounts, accusing them of disseminating such propaganda. This marks the second major move against the LGBT community in recent weeks.

Additionally, Turkish authorities have blocked at least 147 X/Twitter accounts accused of spreading "pro-Israel propaganda," as well as accounts sharing content about the country's financial crisis. The crackdown has been described as disproportionate and baseless by T24, which is denying allegations of receiving funds to promote LGBT issues.

Reporters Without Borders ranks Turkey 163rd out of 180 countries in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index.

Brief written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.