Türkiye: Lift arbitrary ban on storytelling platform Wattpad

Photo credit: Emre Akkoyun

“The decision by the authorities of Türkiye to ban Wattpad without any justification is yet another example of the ever-growing crackdown on reading materials in the country. Writers and readers alike should be able to generate and access creative content freely, without fear of censorship. We urge the authorities to lift the arbitrary ban on Wattpad and to end their incessant curtailing of free speech.” Burhan Sonmez, PEN International President.

18 July 2024: The authorities of Türkiye should immediately lift their ban on the storytelling platform Wattpad and other websites that are restricted under laws inconsistent with international human rights standards, PEN International said today. The organisation further urges the authorities to uphold the right to share and receive information – both online and offline.

On 12 July 2024, a court in Ankara blocked access to the storytelling platform Wattpad without providing any justification. Particularly popular with young people, the platform has a significant number of users in Türkiye, enabling aspiring writers to publish original stories and connecting readers around the world. On 17 July, the Turkish Publishers Association, PEN Türkiye and the Turkish Writers Union issued a statement deploring the ban as an attack on the freedom to read and to write.

The move is the latest in a series of blocking orders targeting popular social media platforms and other websites in Türkiye, including literary publishers. According to Free Web Turkey, the authorities of Türkiye blocked access to 219,059 URLs in 2023 alone – ostensibly to curb dissenting views. PEN International notably documented how the authorities have dramatically increased their influence on the media and publishing landscape in recent years, leading to a growing number of books being branded ‘obscene’ and vilified by pro-government media.

 PEN International urges the authorities of Türkiye to immediately reverse the decision to block Wattpad and to end their baseless campaign against reading materials. Access to diverse literature, thought and opinion is a fundamental right that must be respected by governments worldwide.

Note to Editors:

For further details contact Aurélia Dondo, Head of Europe and Central Asia Region at PEN International: Aurelia.dondo@pen-international.org