Turkish court upholds life sentences without parole for four journalists

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published October 04, 2018

ISTANBUL - An Istanbul court of appeals has upheld the sentences of life in prison without parole handed to four prominent Turkish journalists in February, media reported.

Mehmet Altan, his brother Ahmet Altan, Nazlı Ilıcak, and Fevzi Yazıcı were convicted of having links to the U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gülen, whom Turkey accuses of being behind the failed 2016 attempted coup. The journalists, who deny the charges, said they would appeal to the Supreme Court, according to reports.

"Upholding life sentences against prominent journalists shows how deeply Turkey has sunk in its outright fight against criticism," said CPJ Europe and Central Asia Research Associate Gulnoza Said, in New York. "We call on Turkish authorities to not contest the appeal of Ahmet and Mehmet Altan, Nazlı Ilıcak, and Fevzi Yazıcı, and to end the persecution of these journalists and the scores of others jailed or charged in retaliation for their reporting."

Mehmet Altan is a columnist and TV host most recently with shuttered outlets Can Erzincan TV and the daily Özgür Düşünce; Ahmet Altan is a former chief editor for the shuttered daily Taraf; Ilıcak is a veteran journalist, columnist, and TV host most recently with shuttered outlets Can Erzincan TV and Özgür Düşünce; and Yazıcı is the former editor for the shuttered daily Zaman. All of the journalists except Mehmet Atlan are in custody.

Turkey remains the world's leading jailer of journalists with 73 journalists behind bars when CPJ conducted its last prison census. – A CPJ statement

Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

 June 11, 2025:  Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

 June 11, 2025:  Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

 May 31, 2025:  Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

 May 30, 2025:  The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

 May 30, 2025:  The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.

State within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties

 May 26, 2025:  In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.

PFUJ slams Jang Group's 'economic massacre' after mass firing of over 80 workers

 May 25, 2025:  PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.

Labor rights trampled: Daily Jang defies court, terminates over 80 employees

 May 25, 2025:  Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.