A report by the media watchdog “The Committee To Protect Journalists” has accused the Turkish Government of silencing journalists by imprisonment and intimidation. Turkey has described the criticism as exaggerated. The Committee To Protect Journalists accuses the Turkish Government of waging the biggest crackdown on press freedom in recent history. The media organisation documents the detention of 76 journalists. This makes the Turkish state the world's leading jail of reporters.

The media organisation says, most of the imprisoned journalists are Kurdish citizens of Turkey. These reporters have been charged with aiding the Kurdish rebel group, the PKK. The Committee To Protect Journalists accuses Turkey of confusing basic news gathering activities with terrorism.