The Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday joined 12 local and international partner organizations in a joint statement condemning Turkish authorities’ decision to seize control of pro-opposition broadcaster Halk TV and block its social media accounts from access in Turkey. 

The statement called on the Turkish government to “revoke the trustee appointment at Halk TV, allow the channel to resume broadcasting without interference, and guarantee its editorial independence.” 

The signatories said they “stand in solidarity with Halk TV’s journalists and with all journalists and media organisations in Turkey who continue to pursue independent journalism under systematic pressure. Media pluralism and the public’s right to access information, including reporting that holds those in power to account, must be protected.”

Read the full statement here.