Monthly Bulletin May 2026
MLSA Newsletter
Media and Law Studies Association · Press Freedom & Rule of Law
Issue: May 2026 Rule of Law & Press Freedom mlsaturkey.com
May 2026 Highlights
This month, MLSA defended imprisoned journalists and filmmakers, took the Rojbash film ban to the Court of Cassation, co-organized three major events including a World Press Freedom Day event and an ECtHR workshop, monitored high-profile trials, and continued to receive wide press coverage.
Cinematographer sentenced, prison visits, and more
MLSA client documentary cinematographer Koray Kesik was
sentenced to 1 year and 13 months in prison on charges of "terrorist propaganda" for his work on the Bakur documentary at Batman 2nd High Criminal Court on May 12. MLSA lawyers submitted a defense against the prosecution's sentencing opinion during an earlier session.
MLSA took the Rojbash film ban to the Court of Cassation after the Ankara Regional Administrative Court reinstated it. MLSA lawyers argued the decision constitutes a disproportionate interference with freedom of expression and artistic freedom —
"the same obstruction, 30 years later."
On May 15, MLSA lawyers visited journalists Nadiye Gürbüz, Pınar Gayıp, and Elif Bayburt, and lawyer Sezin Uçar — all detained in the context of the ESP operation — at Bakırköy Women's Prison. The journalists sent a message to their colleagues:
"We are here because we did our jobs."
MLSA client journalist Zeynep Kuray was
acquitted in the Şişhane case along with four other journalists, who were accused of violating Turkey's Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations in a case stemming from an attempted press statement commemorating two journalists killed in Syria.
In May, MLSA also challenged judicial supervision measures (adli kontrol) imposed on journalists Semra Pelek and Yavuz Akengin, filed constitutional applications on behalf of journalists Hayko Bağdat and Bülent Onur Şahin, filed compensation claims for journalists Bülent Kılıç, Yasin Akgül, and Zeynep Kuray arising from their unlawful detention during the Saraçhane protests, and submitted a Rule 9.2 communication to the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers ahead of its supervision meeting.
Acquittals, sentences, and serious fair trial concerns
"
I practiced journalism. I did not commit a crime.
— Alican Uludağ, at his first hearing after 90 days in pre-trial detention. Read more →
DW journalist Alican Uludağ was released at his first hearing on May 21, after 90 days in Silivri Prison on charges of "insulting the president" and "publicly spreading misleading information" based on social media posts. Uludağ and his lawyers argued that his appearance by video link rather than in person violated his right to a fair trial.
Singer Mabel Matiz was
acquitted in the "obscenity" trial over his song lyrics. Istanbul 54th Criminal Court ruled that "erotic connotations" alone cannot justify a criminal conviction.
The first hearing in the
Hakan Tosun murder trial opened at Bakırköy Court on May 6 under the shadow of police intervention. RSF Turkey representative Erol Önderoğlu, CPJ Turkey representative Özgür Öğret, and TGS Secretary General Sibel Güneş were initially blocked from entering. Lawyers noted that witness testimony contradicted that of the suspects. The trial was adjourned to July 8.
Rights defender and journalist Nurcan Kaya was
sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison on charges of organizational membership and financing at Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court. MLSA challenged the continuation of the travel ban imposed as a supervisory measure.
A court again failed to deliver a verdict in the trial of journalist Sedef Kabaş, accused of "insulting the president" over 25 social media posts.
The hearing lasted five minutes.
The first hearing in the "political espionage" trial of Tele1 founder Merdan Yanardağ was held at Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court on May 11. MLSA monitored the hearing, noting that police initially blocked journalist access to the courtroom. All defendants' detention was continued.
Three events in May: World Press Freedom Day, ECtHR workshop, and NGO roundtable
01
World Press Freedom Day — "We Are Still Here" (May 7, Dutch Consulate General, Istanbul)
MLSA co-organized an evening event with the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Journalists, lawyers, students, and civil society representatives gathered for panels on why journalists choose and continue their work, and how to sustain independent reporting.
Read more →
02
ECtHR Workshop for Lawyers (May 2, Gaziantep Bar Association)
MLSA and the Gaziantep Bar Association held a full-day workshop on individual applications to the European Court of Human Rights, in partnership with FNF Turkey. Over 80 lawyers attended sessions covering application procedures under Rule 47, interim measures under Rule 39, the role of lawyers in the Convention system, and structural enforcement challenges.
Read more →
03
NGO Roundtable (May 14, Istanbul)
MLSA hosted a roundtable for civil society organizations working in press freedom and human rights, bringing together NGO representatives to discuss coordination, shared challenges, and strategic priorities.
May episodes of Çetele
All Çetele episodes on MLSATV YouTube with auto-translation into English.
01
Çetele welcomed BirGün reporter
Sarya Toprak, who discussed how pro-government media targeted her and her civil servant father after her reporting on the Gülistan Doku murder case — resulting in her father's suspension from his post.
Watch here →
2025 Annual Report released
MLSA released its 2025 Annual Report at the end of May, documenting one of the most consequential years in MLSA's history. The report covers mass arrests, a surge in pre-trial detentions reaching a six-year high, and landmark Constitutional Court rulings. In the first four months of 2026 alone: 9 journalists arrested, 20+ journalists detained, 3+ subjected to physical attack, and 14 conviction decisions.
Wide national and international visibility
The Alican Uludağ case generated significant international attention. AFP, France 24, NBC News, Washington Post, Arab News, and Al Monitor cited MLSA's monitoring and legal work throughout. RSF described the arrest as "a scandal." Amnesty International called for his unconditional release and urged repeal of the criminal code provisions being used to silence journalists.
The Hakan Tosun murder trial was covered by major Turkish outlets, with MLSA's trial monitoring cited by Bianet, DW Türkçe, and Evrensel. The Joakim Medin hearing and Mabel Matiz acquittal also received wide coverage, with MLSA cited as a key source.
On World Press Freedom Day, MLSA Co-Director Veysel Ok spoke to Mezopotamya Ajansı and İlke TV, stating: "Journalists who cross the government's red lines are under pressure. Journalism gets a little worse every year." The 2025 Annual Report was also picked up by multiple outlets as a key data source on press freedom in Turkey.
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