Turkey’s opposition is calling for an economic boycott of television channels and businesses accused of suppressing coverage of nationwide protests triggered by the jailing of Istanbul’s mayor.
The country has been gripped by its largest street demonstrations in over a decade following the arrest and subsequent imprisonment of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, widely considered President Tayyip Erdogan’s strongest political challenger. Imamoglu, who was detained on corruption charges he denies, has become a rallying figure for opposition groups.
Speaking before a massive crowd in Istanbul on Sunday night, Ozgur Ozel, leader of Imamoglu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP), urged citizens to turn their backs on media outlets and businesses he accused of profiting from opposition voters while serving Erdogan’s government.
“The media that refuses to acknowledge this moment will be held accountable,” Ozel declared, signaling that the party will soon name and shame broadcasters, advertisers, and business owners complicit in the blackout.
Media Crackdown and Protest Censorship
Turkey’s mainstream media landscape is dominated by pro-government outlets, many of which have downplayed or ignored the ongoing demonstrations. While opposition-aligned and independent stations have provided near-constant coverage, major networks have largely avoided airing footage of the protests.
The government’s broadcasting watchdog, RTUK, warned on Saturday that media outlets airing live coverage of the unrest risked having their licenses revoked for “biased” reporting. Some networks subsequently pulled away from scenes of protesters clashing with police.
Meanwhile, social media platform X (formerly Twitter) restricted access to hundreds of accounts at the request of Turkish authorities, though the company said it objected to the court orders.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Turkey ranks 158th out of 180 countries in global press freedom, with an estimated 90% of media under government influence.
Opposition Pushes Economic Pressure
Ozel framed the boycott as a form of economic resistance, calling on supporters to wield their purchasing power against businesses that remain silent.
“If they own a restaurant chain but refuse to acknowledge this movement, then they won’t sell food here,” he said. “Either they recognize us, or they collapse.”
The jailing of Imamoglu is the latest move in a broader government crackdown on opposition figures, with critics accusing Erdogan of using the judiciary to sideline political rivals ahead of upcoming elections. The ruling party has dismissed claims of political interference.
While economic boycotts in Turkey have historically had limited impact, analysts say this unprecedented move by the opposition could help sustain momentum.
Public discontent has been growing since the Gezi Park protests in 2013, when anti-government demonstrations were met with a harsh state response—and similarly ignored by pro-Erdogan media. Now, a new wave of civil disobedience is taking shape, with the opposition determined to keep it alive.
