On May 3, World Press Freedom Day, the International Journalists Association drew attention not only to state pressure but also to increasing censorship through digital platforms and algorithms, emphasizing that a free and independent press is indispensable for democracy and the rule of law.
Full statement by IJA:
Today is May 3, World Press Freedom Day.
As the International Journalists Association (IJA), we speak on behalf of journalists who continue to practice independent journalism despite all forms of pressure and hardship, and on behalf of societies that have a critical need for the accurate and reliable information they provide.
Press freedom is not merely the right of a professional group; it is a prerequisite for the functioning of democracy and the existence of the rule of law. The accountability of public power, the responsibility of the judiciary, and individuals’ access to accurate information are only possible through a free and independent press.
Today, this fundamental principle is undergoing a serious test under both traditional state pressure and new control mechanisms created by digitalization. Algorithms, content removal practices, shadow bans and the opaque decisions of platforms are increasingly narrowing freedom of expression and press freedom. This shows that censorship has changed form and has evolved into a structure operating jointly through states, platforms and digital tools.
Today, threats to press freedom are no longer limited to traditional state pressure. In the digital sphere, the practices of states and major platforms are becoming increasingly intertwined, giving rise to a new and more complex form of censorship. Recommendation systems, content moderation and visibility mechanisms go beyond being merely technical tools and turn into instruments that restrict freedom of expression.
Press Freedom and the Rule of Law: The Cornerstone of a Democratic Society
Particularly in Turkey, simultaneous access restrictions across different platforms, unjustified interventions in content, the algorithmic suppression of independent journalism during critical political periods, and practices such as bandwidth throttling constitute concrete examples of this structure.
This process significantly weakens the visibility of independent journalism and its ability to reach the public, while narrowing society’s access to pluralistic and critical information. As a result, not only journalists but society as a whole is deprived of access to reliable and independent information.
This situation clearly demonstrates the need for concrete regulations that protect freedom of expression in the digital sphere and ensure transparency and accountability. At the same time, it has become imperative that existing legal mechanisms are applied effectively and consistently against such violations.
Today, we raise our voice together with imprisoned and exiled journalists, media workers rendered invisible through digital censorship, and all independent journalists – on behalf of societies that rely on the accurate and reliable information they produce.
Because where there is no press freedom, there can be no democracy; and where truth is not visible, there can be no rule of law.
International Journalists Association (IJA)