Turkey Justice Ministry: T24 News Site Closed Over LGBTQ Propaganda

• Turkey's Justice Ministry announced the shutdown of independent news outlet T24's website and social media accounts.
• The ministry cited "LGBT propaganda," claiming T24 published 118 such content pieces over the past year.
• This action is part of the "My Family is Safe" investigation, following a wider crackdown on the LGBTQ community.
• President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has publicly labeled the LGBTQ community a "deviant movement" of "perverts."
• An LGBTQ activist suggested these operations are linked to the early election campaign for April 2028.

The Turkish Justice Ministry recently announced the closure of the website and social media channels belonging to T24, a prominent independent digital news platform.

The Turkish Justice Ministry recently announced the closure of the website and social media channels belonging to T24, a prominent independent digital news platform. This significant action, which targets a leading voice in online journalism, was officially justified by the ministry as a response to "LGBT propaganda." The ministry's statement specifically cited that T24 had published 118 pieces of content deemed to constitute "LGBT propaganda" over the preceding twelve months. This move underscores a growing trend of government intervention in media operations, particularly concerning content related to LGBTQ issues in Turkey.

Despite the official declaration of a Turkey Justice Ministry T24 shutdown, the news outlet's website reportedly remained accessible. T24 itself acknowledged the Justice Ministry's statement but noted that it had not yet received formal notification of the decision to close its operations. The independent news site also revealed it had been the target of an extensive "smear campaign on social media," which falsely accused its reporting, especially its LGBTQ-related coverage, of "targeting the family." This incident highlights the increasing pressure faced by media organizations in the country, particularly those covering sensitive social topics. The Turkey T24 news site LGBTQ propaganda closure represents a stark example of the challenges to media freedom.

The decision to shut down T24's digital presence is framed by the Justice Ministry as an outcome of the "My Family is Safe" investigation. This broader initiative, according to Justice Minister Akin Gurlek, aligns with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s "Decade of the Family" program. The stated objectives of this program are to safeguard "our children, the institution of the family and social order," providing a governmental framework for actions taken against perceived threats to these values. This context positions the T24 shutdown within a larger narrative of state-led social protection.

The closure of T24 follows a significant Turkey LGBTQ crackdown media freedom that began several weeks prior. This widespread operation involved authorities conducting raids on gay bars, nightclubs, and the residences of activists and community members. Warrants were issued for 162 individuals as part of this intensified enforcement. President Erdoğan has publicly characterized the LGBTQ community as a "deviant movement" composed of "perverts," reflecting a strong official stance against LGBTQ rights and expression. The "My Family is Safe investigation T24" thus appears to be an extension of this broader governmental campaign.

This latest action against T24 signals an escalation in the Erdogan government media censorship and its broader campaign against the LGBTQ community. The targeting of a prominent news outlet for its content on LGBTQ issues raises significant concerns about media freedom and the scope of acceptable public discourse in Turkey. Independent journalism faces increasing scrutiny and potential arbitrary closure under broad definitions of "propaganda," particularly when covering topics deemed sensitive by the state.

The timing of these intensified operations also carries political implications. Turkish officials had confirmed an early election for April 2028 just days before the initial raids on the LGBTQ community. A prominent LGBTQ activist suggested that the entire operation, including the T24 shutdown, could be interpreted as "the start of the election campaign." This perspective suggests that the government's actions may be strategically linked to upcoming political contests, using social issues to galvanize support. The LGBTQ community in Turkey has experienced growing pressure from authorities, making this a critical period for both media and human rights.

Companies operating in Turkey or distributing content there should be aware of the increasing government crackdown on LGBTQ+ content and media freedom, which could lead to arbitrary site closures or content bans under broad 'propaganda' definitions. This signals a heightened compliance risk for content moderation and expression, requiring careful review of local regulations and potential for state intervention.

Source: Reporting based on AFP dispatches.