Journalist Altaylı confronts another inquiry into his activities
In the heart of Istanbul, renowned Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı finds himself embroiled in a contentious legal battle. The journalist, known for his YouTube channel with approximately 1.65 million subscribers, has been detained and is currently under investigation for charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information" and allegedly making criminal threats against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The latest investigation, launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on August 11, 2025, led to a court-ordered blocking of Altaylı’s YouTube channel and removal of his content[1][5]. The ban was imposed based on an article of the Internet Law to protect national security and public order and prevent crime.
The current investigation stems from remarks made by Altaylı in a video on his YouTube channel, specifically his alleged "threatening" remarks targeting President Erdoğan. However, in his statement to the prosecutor, Altaylı denied the accusations and claimed he did not expect his words to be interpreted as a threat[2].
This detention and investigation are part of a wider pattern of pressure on journalists in Turkey. Earlier in June, Altaylı was arrested over comments he made on his YouTube channel, marking a significant blow to media freedom in the country[3].
Guests from politics, art, and media have appeared in broadcasts on Altaylı’s YouTube channel, which continues to host broadcasts despite the access ban[6]. Since Altaylı’s arrest, his team has been sharing his comments on recent developments from the prison in Istanbul’s Silivri.
Prosecutors have demanded a prison sentence of "no less than five years" for Altaylı[4]. The court's ruling for the ban was based on an article of the Internet Law, and the reason given for the ban was to protect national security and public order and prevent crime.
Rights groups have noted the worsening state of press freedom in Turkey, with widespread arrests and censorship actions. This is reflected in Turkey’s low ranking on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index[4].
In summary, Fatih Altaylı's case highlights the ongoing pressure on journalism and media freedom in Turkey. The recent investigation and access ban on his YouTube channel are part of this larger trend, with the journalist facing charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information" and alleged threats against the president.
[1] https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/news/istanbul-court-orders-blocking-of-journalist-fatih-altaylis-youtube-channel-170384 [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-arrests-journalist-fatih-altayli-over-youtube-video-2021-06-03/ [3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/2/turkey-arrests-prominent-journalist-fatih-altayli-over-youtube-video [4] https://rsf.org/en/turkey [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-arrests-prominent-journalist-fatih-altayli-over-youtube-video-2021-06-03/ [6] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/2/turkey-arrests-prominent-journalist-fatih-altayli-over-youtube-video
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