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On May 3 1993, the United Nations proclaimed that day World Press Freedom Day. Birgün Turkish news agency has made a reference to the state of press freedom in Turkey on the occasion of Press Freedom Day, as reported by Ermenihaber.am.

The report notes that in the past one year Turkey has suspended the activities of hundreds of newspapers with the decisions that were adopted at the time of emergency and are not legally binding. Different sources name from 159 to 168 reporters being in custody in Turkey as of now.

In an interview with the Turkish news outlet, heads of different human rights organizations and journalistic unions have slammed the pressure the media workers face in the country, noting that Turkey has turned into an open-air prison.

“Turkey has turned into a real hell for journalists. Hundreds of reporters are imprisoned for months, with indictments against them not submitted until now,” Barış Yarkadaş, an MP of the opposition Republican People's party (CHP), noted, adding that one of Birgün reporter is also in custody. The charges filed against him are not known yet, nor the indictment is ready.

The source reminds that Turkey ranked 163nd in the Freedom of Press 2017 report by Freedom House, included in the list of countries with restrictions on media.