Press release of 25, April 2025
Major fundraising campaign for independent media in Turkey
Journalism is not a crime. And not for nothing.
TURKISH | Freedom of the press in Turkey is in a dire state. Yet critical journalism still exists, with journalists continuing to do their work despite all adversity and at great personal risk. In contrast, the pro-government media paid little attention to the mass protests against the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu. Instead, they broadcast baking recipes.
Since Imamoğlu’s arrest, independent media outlets have come under even greater pressure, facing fines, arrests and intimidation.
To make matters worse, Google’s parent company, Alphabet, recently changed its algorithms so that critical, independent media no longer appear on Google News. This has resulted in a significant loss of income, further threatening the existence of independent media outlets, as many large Turkish companies are reluctant to place direct advertisements for fear of repercussions from the Erdoğan government. The news portal Gazete Duvar has already had to close down.
We would like to take this opportunity to contribute to the support of independent media in Turkey — providing tangible support that goes beyond the purely symbolic. The newspapers, online portals and podcasts that we wish to support through this campaign have been carefully selected based on professional criteria, in consultation with Turkish organisations and experts. Ideally, we would like to name all of these media outlets here to acknowledge the work of our colleagues. However, they have all asked to remain anonymous because they fear reprisals. We ask for your understanding in complying with this request.
One thing is clear: no one but the people of Turkey can fight the battle for press freedom, freedom of expression, democracy and the rule of law. But we can stand by their side.
This is why PEN Berlin is launching a fundraising campaign to support independent media outlets in Turkey with the support of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association (Börsenverein), the Federal Association of Digital Publishers and Newspaper Publishers (BDZV), the German Journalists’ Association (DJV), the German Journalists’ Union (dju) in ver. di, the KulturForum TurkeyGermany, the Media Association of the Free Press (MVFP), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the taz Panter Foundation and the ver.di trade union.
So far, 21 media outlets and companies are participating in this solidarity campaign by providing free advertising space. We would like to thank: Berliner Morgenpost, Bild, Cicero, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Frankfurter Rundschau, Frankfurter Neue Presse, Freitag, Funke Mediengruppe, Handelsblatt, Main-Post, nd – Der Tag, Nordwest-Zeitung, Reutlinger General-Anzeiger, Der Spiegel, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Tagesspiegel, taz – die tageszeitung, Weser-Kurier, VRM Medien, Welt, and Die Zeit.
We welcome any other newspaper and publishers who wish to join our campaign! Support courageous reporting with your donation. Because:
Journalism is not a crime. And not for nothing.
PEN Berlin. We stand by our word.
PEN Berlin e.V. is approved as a non-profit organization; you can therefore deduct your donations from your taxes. According to German tax laws is for donations up to 300 Euros, a transfer receipt sufficient in your tax return. If you still need a donation receipt – or if you donate more than 300 Euros – please enter your e-mail address in the purpose of transfer or write to money[at]penberlin.de. Please indicate »Turkey« as the intended purpose. Thank you!
Our bank details: PEN Berlin e.V. IBAN: DE37100500000191156221 | BIC: BELADEBEXXX
Our PayPal-Account: money[at]penberlin.de