Turkey’s dwindling media freedoms, the beloved independent community radio station, Açık Radyo (Open Radio), was abruptly shut down by the country’s media regulator. The station, which has been a cherished platform for civic dialogue, environmental activism, and alternative voices for the past 30 years, announced the closure with a defiant message on X (formerly Twitter): “As millions of listeners can easily attest, Açık Radyo cannot be silenced thanks to the social impact it has created over the years.”
In a nation where press freedoms have been increasingly curtailed, this closure represents another heavy blow to independent journalism and the vibrant civil society it serves. However, the message from Açık Radyo is clear: the station will not go quietly. “We invite all our listeners, professional organizations, and the international community to raise their voices much more clearly and loudly this time against this decision, which has caused an irreparable loss in terms of press and broadcasting freedom in Turkey,” the post continued.
The announcement immediately sparked a flurry of support from listeners, journalists, and opposition figures, who see Açık Radyo as a rare bastion of free expression in a media landscape dominated by pro-government voices.
Açık Radyo has long been a cornerstone of independent media in Turkey. Known for its eclectic programming, the station has served as a hub for social justice campaigns, covering everything from climate change and environmental issues to gender equality and multiculturalism. The station’s slogan, “open to all the sounds, colors, and vibrations of the universe,” encapsulates its mission to give a platform to voices often marginalized or ignored by mainstream media outlets.
The station’s final broadcast, fittingly, closed with the iconic 1966 Beach Boys hit “Good Vibrations” — a song that, much like the station itself, resonates with the idea of positive energy and community connection. As the last notes played, many listeners were left reflecting on what the station had represented for them: a place where they could hear honest conversations about the issues that matter most to Turkish society.
İlhan Taşçı, a member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Turkey’s main opposition party, called the closure “unacceptable.” Taşçı, who has been vocal about defending press freedoms in Turkey, emphasized that Açık Radyo had always complied with regulatory standards. “The station has complied with all the rules during its 30 years on the air,” Taşçı said in a statement, highlighting that there was no legal or procedural basis for the shutdown.
Many saw the closure as part of a broader crackdown on free speech under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Over the past decade, Erdoğan’s government has systematically targeted independent media outlets, journalists, and activists critical of the administration. Turkey has become one of the world’s worst countries for press freedom, ranking 149th out of 180 countries on Reporters Without Borders’ 2023 Press Freedom Index.
Despite repeated promises of reform, the Erdoğan administration has used a variety of tools to silence dissent, including the arbitrary shutdown of media outlets, imprisonment of journalists, and heavy censorship of online platforms. For many, the closure of Açık Radyo is yet another example of the government’s desire to control the narrative and stifle any alternative voices.
The media landscape in Turkey has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Once home to a vibrant, diverse press, the country now suffers from increasing media consolidation under pro-government entities. This has left little room for independent outlets like Açık Radyo, which, despite its small size, played an outsized role in giving voice to civil society groups, academics, and grassroots movements.
According to a report from Freedom House, Turkey is classified as “not free” in terms of its press environment, with the state exercising tight control over the content produced by media outlets. In many cases, journalists who have been critical of the government have faced harassment, legal action, or imprisonment. The case of Ahmet Altan, a prominent journalist imprisoned for years on charges of attempting to overthrow the government, is just one high-profile example of the risks faced by media professionals in the country.
The closure of Açık Radyo has further fueled concerns about the future of free expression in Turkey. International organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have condemned the station’s shutdown and called on European Union institutions to take a stronger stance in defending press freedoms in Turkey.
In a statement, RSF expressed its solidarity with the station, saying, “The closure of Açık Radyo represents an attack on the very essence of free media in Turkey. This is a station that has amplified civic voices, especially on critical issues like climate change, environmentalism, and gender equality. Silencing it is silencing the public discourse on these urgent issues.”
Despite these challenges, Açık Radyo has vowed to return to the airwaves. The station’s legacy of resilience in the face of adversity has been a defining feature of its 30-year history. Since its inception in 1995, Açık Radyo has operated as a non-profit community station, funded primarily by listener donations and committed to remaining independent of corporate or political interests.
During the Gezi Park protests in 2013, Açık Radyo played a crucial role in broadcasting the voices of activists and protestors, many of whom were opposing the government’s plans to redevelop one of Istanbul’s last remaining green spaces. As the protests gained momentum, mainstream media largely ignored or downplayed the events, leaving stations like Açık Radyo as one of the few outlets providing real-time coverage of the demonstrations.
In the years since, Açık Radyo has continued to align itself with progressive movements in Turkey, becoming a key platform for environmental campaigns, LGBTQ+ rights, and advocacy for marginalized communities. Its programming reflects a broad range of interests and concerns, from in-depth discussions on renewable energy and sustainability to explorations of Turkish folk music and literature.
One of its most popular shows, “Ekolojik Gündem” (Ecological Agenda), has featured interviews with leading environmentalists, scientists, and policymakers, giving airtime to critical conversations about the country’s environmental challenges, including deforestation, pollution, and the impacts of climate change.
The closure of Açık Radyo has not gone unnoticed by the international community. Several prominent human rights organizations and press freedom advocates have issued statements in support of the station, urging Turkish authorities to reverse the decision.
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) called the shutdown a “grave attack on media freedom,” and urged the European Union to take stronger measures to protect independent media in Turkey. “We are seeing a worrying trend of increased repression against journalists and independent media. Açık Radyo’s closure is part of a broader attempt to silence critical voices,” the EFJ said in a statement.
Amnesty International also weighed in, calling the shutdown “yet another assault on the right to free expression in Turkey.” In their statement, they emphasized the critical role Açık Radyo has played in promoting human rights, environmental justice, and democratic values, and called on the Turkish government to respect the station’s right to broadcast freely.
While the future of Açık Radyo remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the station’s legacy will not fade easily. Its role in fostering a sense of community, promoting critical dialogue, and challenging the status quo has earned it a loyal following, both in Turkey and abroad.
As supporters rally behind the station, many are hopeful that Açık Radyo will find a way to continue its work. Whether through legal battles, public pressure, or international advocacy, the station’s mission to be “open to all the sounds, colors, and vibrations of the universe” seems far from over.
