
AI-generated summary
A police raid was carried out on Halk TV's Istanbul headquarters and a trustee was appointed to the channel. After the broadcast was stopped, Article 28 of the Constitution was brought to the agenda within the scope of freedom of the press.
A police raid was carried out on Halk TV's headquarters in Istanbul in the early hours of the morning. Following the raid, it was announced that a trustee was appointed to the channel, and television broadcasting was also suspended. With the developments, Article 28 of the Constitution, which regulates freedom of the press, came to the agenda again. So, what is Article 28 of the Constitution, what does it cover and what provisions does it contain regarding freedom of the press? Here are the details...
WHAT IS ARTICLE 28 OF THE CONSTITUTION?
Article 28 of the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye regulates that the press is free and cannot be censored. This article, which contains the basic provisions regarding freedom of the press, is important in terms of protecting the freedom to receive and report information. It also includes provisions regarding the activities of press organizations and the limits of press freedom.
WHAT DOES ARTICLE 28 OF THE CONSTITUTION COVER?
Article 28 of the Constitution contains the following basic regulations regarding freedom of the press:
Freedom of the press:
It is stated that the press is free and cannot be censored.
Establishment of press organizations:
Establishing a printing house cannot be conditioned on obtaining permission or paying financial security.
Protection of freedom of press and information:
The state is given the duty to take measures to ensure freedom of the press and information.
Limits of press freedom:
In limiting the freedom of the press, Article 26 of the Constitution, which relates to the freedom to express and disseminate ideas, and Article 27, which regulates the freedom of science and art, are taken as basis.
Responsibilities regarding some publications:
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Legal applications will be made regarding Halk TV's trusteeship and suspension of broadcasting.
Likely · Within weeks
Public reactions and protests regarding press freedom will increase
Very likely · Within days

US federal judge Timothy Kelly accepted the request for a preliminary injunction in the lawsuit filed by CNN, MS NOW and Politico against the cancellation of their White House press cards and ruled that access should continue.

US District Judge Timothy Kelly suspended his decision to revoke the White House press passes of CNN, MS NOW and Politico until the end of the case.

In Türkiye, police teams entered the Istanbul headquarters of Halk TV and announced that a trustee had been appointed, and the live broadcast was interrupted. With this decision, the number of television channels that have been under trustee management since March 2025 has reached 10.

Following the police raid on Halk TV and the appointment of a trustee, Chairman of the Board of Directors Cafer Mahiroğlu made a statement. Mahiroğlu described the intervention as a blow to the public's right to receive information and said that they would take back the channel.

A police raid was carried out on Halk TV's building in Istanbul in the early hours of the morning. After the raid, a trustee was appointed to the channel and television broadcasting was stopped. The broadcast was interrupted at 06.31 and the movie 'Canım Kardeşim' was shown on the screen.

Professional organizations such as the Contemporary Journalists Association, Turkish Journalists Union and DİSK Press/İş reacted to the allegation that press freedom was interfered with by the police raid on Halk TV in the morning hours, the appointment of a trustee and the suspension of broadcasting. The organizations stated that the public's right to information was targeted and that the decisions were unconstitutional and an attack on democratic values.