TROwnership & classification
Founded: 2000
Ownership
Bianet (the Independent Communication Network, BİA) is owned and operated by the IPS Communication Foundation (IPS İletişim Vakfı), a non-profit civil-society foundation established in Istanbul in 1993; bianet.org has published online since 2000. It is not owned by any company, party, oligarch or the Turkish state — control rests with the foundation and its editorial team.
Funding
Bianet is funded mainly by project grants from international donors and institutions — notably the European Union/European Commission (including the EIDHR human-rights instrument) and other rights and press-freedom funders — rather than by advertising or a paywall.
Affiliation & stance
Bianet is an avowedly independent, rights-focused outlet publishing in Turkish, Kurdish and English, with a progressive/left editorial orientation centred on human rights, minority and press-freedom issues, often critical of the Turkish government. Because it is owned by a non-profit foundation with no party, corporate-conglomerate or state control, it is INDEPENDENT (donor/grant-funded civil-society media).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 105
84/100
Factual
77/100
Objective
119
Articles
118
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Are the Big Three in trouble? We have lift off
The article discusses the start of the Turkish football league season, focusing on the performance of major teams such as Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş. Galatasaray faced challenges despite being strong favorites, drawing against a weakened Çorum team. Fenerbahçe struggled in their opening match against Gençlerbirliği, showing signs of pressure amid their long wait for a title. Beşiktaş showed promise with a strong performance against Eyüpspor. Meanwhile, Trabzonspor made headlines by signing Mohamed Salah, attracting attention from international media due to the city's appeal. Additionally, Amedspor, representing the Kurdish region, has entered the Süper Lig, adding diversity to the competition.
Solidarity technologies in agriculture should be part of the people’s food sovereignty
The article discusses the impact of digitalization on agriculture, particularly highlighting concerns about corporate control and the erosion of traditional farming practices. It argues that technologies labeled 'smart agriculture' threaten to displace small-scale farmers by making them dependent on large agribusinesses and reducing farming to data-driven processes. The article references John Deere's use of digital locks on tractors, which restrict farmers' ability to repair their equipment independently. In response, farmers have successfully challenged these restrictions through legal action, securing compensation from the company. The piece also explores alternative models such as cooperative platforms and solidarity economies as potential solutions to reclaim food sovereignty.
'Iranian women are expected to represent either victimhood or resistance'
Shiva Akhavan Rad, an Iranian journalist based in Tehran, reflects on the evolving role of women in Iran, particularly in relation to the 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' movement, which has challenged the enforcement of the compulsory hijab. She recalls maintaining a private blog under a pseudonym to express herself freely on topics like love, relationships, and personal interests, which she could not discuss openly under her real name. Rad discusses the broader societal and political constraints on women's autonomy, noting that while cultural traditions and the Islamic legal framework contribute to gender inequality, the issue is not solely religious. She emphasizes the tension between public and private life for women in Iran, highlighting the ongoing struggle for personal agency within a restrictive system.
İHD Conscientious Objection Commission: ‘We need to rethink security, the budget and militarism together’
The IPS Communication Foundation/bianet organized a meeting with the İHD İstanbul Branch Conscientious Objection Commission to discuss the reactivation of the commission and the evolving challenges faced by conscientious objectors in Turkey. The discussion highlighted how rights violations against conscientious objectors have shifted from overt legal penalties to subtler forms affecting employment, education, and healthcare. Participants noted that these violations now often go unnoticed, making it harder to address them effectively. Jiyan Tosun emphasized the changing nature of these violations, while Alper Yalçın argued that conscientious objection represents an antimilitarist stance rather than mere victimhood.
Bahçeli outlines seven-point plan to contain Israel
Devlet Bahçeli, leader of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a key ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has outlined a seven-point plan titled 'Containment of Israel for Peace' aimed at addressing regional instability linked to Israel's actions. The proposal follows an Israeli airstrike on a military base in northern Syria, which Turkey denies having troops at. Bahçeli criticized the strike as an attack on regional peace and accused Israel of expansionism and disregard for international law. He contrasted Turkey’s efforts toward regional stability and its Kurdish peace process with Israel’s alleged role in spreading conflict across the Middle East. The plan includes expanding a Muslim-led defense pact into a broader 'Jerusalem Pact,' creating a Middle East Peace Council involving major global powers, and convening a UN-backed conference to establish a two-state solution in Palestine.
Mabel Matiz given travel ban in ‘obscenity’ investigation over new song
Singer Mabel Matiz, an openly queer artist, has been placed under an international travel ban as part of an 'obscenity' investigation related to their new song 'Ha Leylim' and its music video. The investigation was initiated by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office three days after the song's release, following a campaign against Matiz in pro-government media and social media platforms. The music video, which features a man preparing to marry a woman and includes scenes of two men exchanging contemplative glances, has garnered over four million YouTube views but is accused of containing obscene content. Matiz denies the allegations, stating that the video depicts traditional wedding celebrations from Turkey’s Thrace region and that the alleged obscene elements, such as two men looking at each other, are not criminalized and are common themes in art and literature. This is not the first time Matiz has faced such charges; they were previously acquitted in an obscenity case over their song 'Perperişan.' Matiz argues that their works are often misinterpreted through the lens of their gender identity and that similar investigations might not occur if the works were created by a不同性
Recently dug turtle figurines expose ancient ritual heritage
Archaeologists from Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University discovered 25 turtle figurines made of limestone during excavations at Gedikkaya Hill and İn Cave in Turkey's Bilecik province. Dating back to 14,500 to 11,200 B.C., the figurines are attributed to the Epipaleolithic Period and were likely used in ritual practices. The findings suggest possible symbolic connections between the local landscape and turtle imagery, potentially indicating a 'mountain cult' or cultural significance tied to longevity and endurance. The artifacts were uncovered as part of ongoing research initiated in 2017 and expanded through rescue excavations between 2019 and 2023.
Dozens of migrating storks die on power lines in northwestern Turkey
Dozens of storks have died in northwestern Turkey due to electrocution from high-voltage power lines during their migration season. Local residents reported finding nearly 30 dead storks on August 19 in the Marmaraereğlisi district of Tekirdağ, while over 100 storks were found dead near Küçükçekmece Lake in Istanbul, which is part of an ongoing high-speed rail project. These incidents highlight a known issue, as storks migrate through Turkey en route from Africa to Europe. Experts note that Istanbul lies on a major migration corridor and emphasize the need for preventive measures such as insulation on power lines and improved monitoring. Turkish State Railways has initiated studies and implemented some safety measures, while activists call for more comprehensive action to protect migratory birds.
Labor underutilization remains near 30% in second quarter
Turkey's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 7.9% in Q2 2026, a 0.3 percentage point drop from the prior quarter. The labor underutilization rate, which includes underemployment and the potential labor force, fell to 29%, down 0.2 percentage points. Employment increased by 155,000 to 32.479 million, with the employment rate rising to 48%. The labor force grew by 71,000 to 35.278 million, though participation rates declined slightly. Men had a lower unemployment rate (6.7%) compared to women (10.3%). Youth unemployment among those aged 15-24 dropped to 13.9%, with higher rates among women. Employment growth was strongest in services (+240,000), followed by construction and agriculture, while industrial employment declined. The average weekly working time increased slightly to 42.3 hours.
Protest singer Metin Turan released after 25 years in prison
Metin Turan, a prominent Turkish protest singer and writer associated with leftist groups such as Grup Ekin and Grup Yorum, was released from prison after serving 25 years. His release followed a legal process initiated due to serious health issues identified by the Forensic Medicine Institute, which deemed him unfit to remain incarcerated. Despite this, his initial request for release was denied by the Bafra Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, prompting an appeal to an enforcement judgeship. Turan, who was imprisoned in the 1990s for political reasons, has continued to write during his time in prison, receiving literary awards for his short stories. His published works include several children's books and short story collections.
Turkish military personnel were not at Syrian airbase 'during or before' Israeli strike
The Turkish National Defense Ministry stated that no Turkish military personnel were present at Syria's Abu al-Duhur Military Airbase before or during an Israeli airstrike on August 18, 2026. The Israeli air force targeted the airbase, located approximately 70 kilometers from the Turkish border in the Idlib region, with multiple strikes. The ministry condemned the attack as a violation of Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty, emphasizing the need for international law compliance. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the strike was intended to counter perceived threats from Turkey's military presence in Syria, local and military sources reported no casualties but noted significant material damage to the facility. Reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the London-based Al-Araby Al-Jadeed suggested that a Turkish military delegation had been inspecting the airbase the day prior, raising questions about the accuracy of the Turkish defense ministry's statement.
Nurse dismissed from civil service over ‘hair braiding’ protest despite acquittal
A nurse named İkra Avcı in Turkey was dismissed from her civil service position after posting a video of herself braiding her hair on social media in solidarity with Kurdish women who were victims of violence in Syria. The act was linked to a broader campaign where Kurdish women and others protested against the desecration of a female fighter's body by displaying their braids. Although Avcı was acquitted of charges of 'terror propaganda' in a court trial, she faced administrative sanctions leading to her dismissal. The disciplinary action was taken by the Health Ministry's High Disciplinary Board, though the specific legal basis for the decision remains undisclosed. Avcı plans to challenge the decision through legal channels.
What does Israel's Abu al-Duhur attack mean?
Israeli warplanes attacked the abandoned Abu al-Duhur Military Airbase in northern Syria, causing material damage but no reported casualties. The Israeli government claimed the strike was a response to alleged Syrian efforts to allow Turkey to establish a military presence near Aleppo, which Israel says violates a prior 'status quo' agreement. Syrian state media confirmed the attack, while local reports indicated the base had not been actively used for years. A Turkish military delegation was reportedly seen inspecting the site shortly before the attack, though Turkey denied any involvement. Both Turkey and Syria strongly condemned the strike, rejecting Israel's justification.