Amnesty International has condemned the state takeover of Halk TV in Turkey, asserting it exemplifies a wider assault on media pluralism. The organization’s Turkey campaigner, Milena Buyum, labeled the intervention a “brutal attack on media freedom” and part of an escalating crackdown on independent journalism since March 2025. This takeover is not an isolated incident, but rather linked to a pattern of state-appointed trustees, journalist detentions, and increased restrictions on independent online news sources within Turkey. Amnesty International argues that restricting the media landscape allows disinformation to proliferate. The situation at Halk TV underscores the deepening concerns about freedom of the press within Turkey. The crackdown has created a chilling effect on independent reporting and raised questions about the future of a diverse media environment in Turkey.