In Russia, Roman Zholud and Anna Romashchenko describe in detail a systematic “cleansing” of the free information space orchestrated by Putin’s administration. This censorship escalated during Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, resulting in the blocking or banning of many independent media outlets. Meanwhile, in Turkey, as explained by Barış Altıntaş and Sibel Yükler, the Erdoğan government’s aggressive measures have made it the sixth-largest jailer of journalists globally. Accusations of state crimes are weaponized to silence and intimidate journalists, branding them as ‘traitors’ or ‘terrorists.’ Ivan Safronov’s case in Russia, with charges of high treason being laid for allegedly passing confidential information to Czech special forces, and Turkey’s interference in the editorial policy of news outlets, illustrated in the Cumhuriyet saga by Gökçer Tahiincioğlu, raise grave concerns for the freedom of the press.

The publication also delves into the increased judicial harassment faced by journalists reporting on state or corporate corruption. In Russia, journalists encounter fabricated evidence, whereas in Turkey, they face the threat of financial ruin through lawsuits related to corruption investigations. A striking example is Pelin Ünker’s case in Turkey, associated with the analysis of the ‘Paradise Papers,’ as detailed by Asuman Aranca. The judicial assault on journalism in both Russia and Turkey has far-reaching implications for freedom of expression and democracy. In Russia, these effects are evident daily during the war, while in Turkey, the developments continues. Despite the risks, journalists in these nations persist in their pursuit of truth, underscoring the urgent need for international support to safeguard the freedom of the press.