An İstanbul court has shut down independent news website T24 and its social media accounts over content prosecutors described as “LGBT propaganda”. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) condemns this crackdown by the Turkish authorities on journalists, LGBTQ+ rights groups and online platforms across Turkey.

T24, which has been operating since 2009, is one of Turkey’s leading independent news sources. The organization’s website and social media accounts were shut down on September 30. The decision was justified by the İstanbul 1st Criminal Court of Peace on the grounds that 118 pieces of content constituting so-called “LGBT propaganda” had been produced within a year.

Press freedom and journalists’ organisations, including the Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS), the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) and the International Press Institute (IPI), reacted to the decision, stating that “as well as constituting a very serious violation of press and freedom of expression by the government, it directly obstructs citizens’ right to access news”.

The İstanbul 1st Criminal Court of Peace order, dated September 29, extends to T24’s social media presence, including an X account with about 1.9 million followers, a YouTube channel with some 268,000 subscribers and an Instagram account followed by approximately 238,000 people.

T24 said the court decision followed a campaign of defamation and online targeting against the outlet, with multiple social media accounts circulating identical claims that T24 received outside funding and used LGBTQ-related coverage to target the family. The outlet denied receiving outside funding. It said repeated government tax audits have found no evidence that it did so.

“We join our Turkish affiliates TGS and the Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) in condemning this court ruling, at a time when sweeping court orders are increasingly being used in Turkey to silence journalists and restrict citizens’ right to access free and independent information,” said EFJ president Maja Sever.