Turkish digital news outlet T24 said Thursday it remains operational despite an access block on its website and social media accounts, saying it is challenging the court decision and directing readers to its mobile application to continue accessing its journalism. The Istanbul 1st Criminal Judgeship of Peace ordered the restrictions as part of an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office known as "Ailem Guvende," or "My Family is Safe." Prosecutors said T24 had published 118 pieces of content over the past year that they described as "LGBT propaganda."

The order was sent to Türkiye's Cyber Security Presidency for implementation. The ruling was issued Sept. 29 and took effect Sept. 30 after being published by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority, or BTK. According to the court decision, an earlier request to block access had been rejected Sept. 25 before a subsequent appeal led to the restriction.

T24 stressed that the access restriction did not amount to the closure of the news organization. "T24 has not closed; journalism cannot be shut down. Access to T24 content has been blocked," T24 columnist Murat Sabuncu wrote on X. "We are using every legal avenue to have this block lifted, and this mistake reversed. We are at work," he added. T24 said it had also launched legal proceedings against the decision and disputed parts of the material used to support the order.

Turkish digital news outlet T24 said Thursday it remains operational despite an access block on its website and social media accounts, saying it is challenging the court decision and directing readers to its mobile application to continue accessing its journalism. The Istanbul 1st Criminal Judgeship of Peace ordered the restrictions as part of an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office known as "Ailem Guvende," or "My Family is Safe." Prosecutors said T24 had published 118 pieces of content over the past year that they described as "LGBT propaganda."

The order was sent to Türkiye's Cyber Security Presidency for implementation. The ruling was issued Sept. 29 and took effect Sept. 30 after being published by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority, or BTK. According to the court decision, an earlier request to block access had been rejected Sept. 25 before a subsequent appeal led to the restriction.

T24 stressed that the access restriction did not amount to the closure of the news organization. "T24 has not closed; journalism cannot be shut down. Access to T24 content has been blocked," T24 columnist Murat Sabuncu wrote on X. "We are using every legal avenue to have this block lifted, and this mistake reversed. We are at work," he added. T24 said it had also launched legal proceedings against the decision and disputed parts of the material used to support the order.