Locals in İkizdere, Rize have been protesting a stone quarry project carried out by a company that has close ties to the government.

In a joint statement on World Press Freedom Day, three professional press organizations have stated, "We call on the public authority to give up all kinds of practices that are against the freedom of press, which is guaranteed by universal and local law.”

On May 3 World Press Freedom Day, the Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS) has launched a social media campaign of “Basın Belada” (The press is in trouble), making a word play with “basın” (press) and “başın belada” (You are in trouble).

As in other parts of the country, when you touch their soil, water, tree, the people you call "conservative", "pro-government", "AKP voters", and ask "For whom did you vote?" turn into resilient rebels. Especially women.

The Ankara Bar Association has appealed to the Council of State and requested the annulment of the circular of the Directorate General of Security that bans recording voices and images during public incidents.

Religious officials in Mardin's Tur Abdin area welcome the decision.

The people who wanted to object to the results of the 2017 Constitutional referendum which resulted in Turkey’s adoption of the Presidential Government System were both hindered and faced with a lawsuit. They have been acquitted.

The government has imposed a de facto ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages during the 17-day lockdown period.

Releasing a report on violations of press freedom in April, CHP MP Çakırözer has raised concerns that the circular of the Directorate General of Security "started to be implemented in a way that restricts freedom of expression and press from the first day."

The Turkish Statistical Institute has announced that the consumer price index increased by 17.14 percent annually and 1.68 percent monthly in April.

The Peoples’ Democratic Party has stated that the government carries out cross-border military operations in every domestic and international political crisis, adding that these military operations aggravate the crises even further.

In the first quarter of 2021, 12 journalists were attacked and one radio presenter was killed in the climate of impunity fostered by the ruling alliance. We wish a happy May 3 World Press Freedom Day in spite of everything.