Arrests of three prominent Turkish reporters stoke free-speech concerns

FILE PHOTO: A view of newspapers on a stand at a shop, following the results of the second round of the presidential election, in Ankara, Turkey May 29, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Free-speech advocates expressed their concerns on Thursday over a widening state crackdown on press freedom in Turkey after the arrests of three high-profile journalists on accusations of "spreading false information".

Tolga Sardan and Dincer Gokce were separately detained and charged on Wednesday, Turkish media reported. They were detained under the so-called "disinformation law" that was adopted last year, under which journalists and social media users face up to three years in prison if convicted.