TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Many Turkish journalists, media outlets and unions expressed anger on Thursday after they were denied accreditation to cover a NATO summit in the Turkish capital of Ankara next month.
Among those outlets targeted include the Cumhuriyet newspaper, Halk TV, Sozcu TV, website T24 and others.
These outlets tend to be critical of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his conservative ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). They also may be associated with left-leaning, secular views as expressed by the opposition Republican People's Party and its founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
The summit is slated for July 7 and 8. In a post on X, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the bloc is in "contact with the Turkish authorities" regarding accreditations.
"It is very important for NATO that media can attend major events in person," Hart added.
Press freedom groups decry 'alarming' move by Turkish authorities
Hart's post was met with reactions from perplexed Turkish journalists who were confused why they are being denied accreditation. Press freedom organizations characterized the icing-out of the journalists as "alarming."
"The denial of accreditation applications from a large number of media outlets is worrying in terms of press freedom," the Turkish Journalists Association said.
"With this decision, NATO has violated the principles of 'democracy, individual freedom and the rule of law' emphasized in its founding treaty," it added.
The Turkish government has not yet commented on the denial of accreditation to the media outlets.
Turkey ranks 163 out of 180 in the Reporters without Borders press freedom index. Crackdowns on the press especially ramped up following the 2016 Turkish coup attempt and the 2013 Gezi Park demonstrations.
Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952. The summit in July will be attended by representatives of all 32 NATO member states, with US President Donald Trump expected to make an appearance.
Read: Turkey Arrests More Than 200 in Crackdown Before NATO Summit
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Global Media Forum: How Big Tech Is Changing Journalism
18 jam lalu
Technology companies are shaping how news is presented and digested, leaving media outlets little option but to comply.
UI Student Journalists Report Harassment After Protest Coverage
9 hari lalu
Several student journalists University of Indonesia (UI) were reportedly being harassed after covering student protests on Friday, June 12, 2026.
From Archive to Knowledge Assistant: Tempo Uses AI to Revitalize Its Journalistic Legacy
12 hari lalu
Through DAM and an AI-based chatbot, Tempo is working to transform more than 50 years of journalistic archives into a knowledge resource that is easie
Defense Ministry Explains Teddy Indra Wijaya's Promotion
25 hari lalu
Tempo attempted to interview Teddy Indra Wijaya. The only response came from a Defense Ministry spokesperson
Global Sumud Flotilla: Indonesian Journalist Describes Israeli Abuse
32 hari lalu
Indonesian journalist recounts being forced to endure two to five hours of sun exposure by the Israeli military after the Global Sumud Flotilla raid.
Indonesia Moves to Provide Scholarships and Protection for Journalists
34 hari lalu
Indonesia's Human Rights Ministry is preparing journalist scholarships and stronger protections to expand human rights mainstreaming.
A Tempo Journalist Recounts Detention by Israeli Forces
34 hari lalu
Tempo Journalist, Andre Nugroho, and 8 other Indonesian citizens have been freed from Israeli detention and are currently in Turkey.
Tempo Expresses Concern for Journalist Detained by Israel
37 hari lalu
Tempo continues to communicate with Andre's family to provide support, assistance, and regular updates.
Press Council Calls for Diplomatic Channels to Free Indonesian Citizens
37 hari lalu
The Press Council condemns the action of the Israeli military in intercepting and capturing Indonesian journalists along with other civilians in international waters while en route to Gaza.
Last Contact With Tempo Journalist Before Israel Intercepted GSF
37 hari lalu
The last communication with Tempo journalist Andre Prasetyo Nugroho was recorded on Sunday night at around 10:42 PM Jakarta time.
