Govt takes control of Turkey’s most-watched news channel

Police executed a dawn raid on Turkey's most-watched news channel, Halk TV, as part of an ongoing crackdown on media outlets critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government. The operation halted broadcasts and installed a government-appointed administrator. Eleven individuals were arrested, including a journalist and seven family members of Halk TV chairman Cafer Mahiroglu.

Mahiroglu dismissed the allegations as baseless and accused the government of employing the judiciary for political purposes. The opposition and human rights groups condemned the move, describing it as a severe blow to media freedom and an assault on democratic principles. Halk TV, which holds significant influence among Turkish audiences, symbolizes the government's broader strategy to consolidate control over the flow of information.