Ownership & classification
Founded: 1961
Ownership
Hürriyet Daily News (originally the Turkish Daily News, founded March 1961 by İlhan Çevik) is Turkey's oldest English-language daily. It was acquired by the Doğan Media Group in 2001 and grouped under Hürriyet from 2006; in 2018 Doğan sold its entire media portfolio — including Hürriyet, Milliyet, CNN Türk and Kanal D — to Demirören Holding. Demirören is a Turkish conglomerate (founded 1956) wholly owned by the Demirören family, now chaired by Yıldırım Demirören.
Funding
The paper is financed by advertising and circulation/subscription revenue as part of Demirören's media division, which is backed by the family conglomerate's energy, real-estate and other holdings.
Affiliation & stance
Although Hürriyet Daily News has historically held a secular, liberal/centre-left line, its owner Demirören Holding is openly supportive of the ruling AKP and the Demirören family has close ties to President Erdoğan; the 2018 Doğan-to-Demirören sale was widely seen as further consolidating pro-government control of Turkish media. Because the controlling owner is a government-aligned conglomerate rather than an independent or state body, it is DEPENDENT — matching the site's current guess.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 473
85/100
Factual
80/100
Objective
566
Articles
563
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
Trump calls Hormuz ‘American territory’ as ships go dark
U.S. President Donald Trump has referred to the Strait of Hormuz as 'American territory,' despite evidence showing that most ships are using the route favored by Iran rather than the one supported by the United States. During a campaign event in August 2024, Trump asserted U.S. control over the strategic waterway, which handles approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Data from maritime analytics firm Kpler indicated that out of 88 identifiable vessels, 83 used Iran's northern corridor, while only three opted for the Omani route backed by Washington. The remaining 148 vessels were either untraceable or classified as 'dark.' This shift follows Iran's decision to direct authorized ships along a northern corridor near Larak and Qeshm islands, while Oman promotes a route closer to its coastline with U.S. backing. Some vessel operators have disabled their Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals, complicating tracking efforts. Iran has stated it will not fully reopen the strait until the U.S. lifts its naval blockade, sanctions, and military actions against Iran. In response, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to impose the harshest U.S.制裁s

Key board set for first meeting to advance anti-terror bid
Turkey's government has announced a high-level meeting scheduled for August 24, led by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, aimed at advancing the 'terror-free Türkiye' initiative. The meeting will involve top officials including the Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, Interior Minister, Justice Minister, MİT chief, and MGK head. The focus will be on establishing sub-committees to oversee PKK disarmament, weapon disposal, and judicial processes for PKK members seeking sentence postponements. The initiative, launched in late 2024 and accelerated after PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan called for an end to the armed struggle, gained momentum with PKK's formal declaration of disarmament in June 2025 and a subsequent weapon-burning ceremony. Turkey's parliament passed a law supporting national solidarity and social integration in early August, which became effective after being signed by President Erdoğan.
Netanyahu vows to block Palestinian state as polls put his bloc short of majority
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state while he remains in office, responding to claims by Palestinian political leaders that Palestine already exists as a recognized state. His comments come amid declining support for his Likud party ahead of upcoming Knesset elections, where opinion polls suggest his coalition may fall short of the 61 seats needed for a governing majority. Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, suggested that an Israeli airstrike in Syria might have been politically motivated, possibly aimed at provoking Turkey and serving as a campaign strategy ahead of the election.

In the Ukrainian attack on Belgorod killed six people, among the wounded children
On August 17, 2026, an Ukrainian missile attack struck the Russian region of Belgorod, killing six people and injuring four, including a 14-year-old child. The attack reportedly hit the village of Koloskovo in the Valuysky district, damaging a building and a vehicle. In addition, a woman was killed in another Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Astrakhan region, which targeted industrial infrastructure. According to French news agency AFP, at least 19 people were killed in mutual attacks between Ukraine and Russia over the weekend. Russia’s defense ministry described the Ukrainian strikes, some involving hundreds of drones, as the largest since the start of the year. One of the targets was a warehouse belonging to the Russian e-commerce company Wildberries, which Kyiv claims supplies parts for drones to the Russian military. Meanwhile, in southern Odessa Oblast, a Russian night attack on Izmail caused fires that have been extinguished. A civilian ship flying the flag of Tuva was damaged during the attack, leaving four people injured. Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz reported that Russia conducted 13 attacks on its facilities across Ukraine in the past week, targeting production and能源
Türkiye, Japan discuss AI risks, economic security in Tokyo
Turkish and Japanese officials and experts convened in Tokyo to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence, geopolitical competition, and emerging technologies on strategic communication, economic security, and global supply chains. The event, organized by Türkiye’s Presidential Communications Directorate and its embassy in Tokyo, included participants from public institutions, international organizations, technology firms, think tanks, and universities. Discussions centered on topics like digital sovereignty, information security, disinformation, and the evolving role of public diplomacy. A separate session focused on economic security, addressing issues such as critical technologies, supply chain reliability, data security, and the digital economy’s transformation. Turkish officials emphasized the need for international cooperation, multilateralism, and reform of global institutions to address these challenges. They highlighted the potential for Turkey and Japan to collaborate on technology, innovation, and crisis management.
Central Bank ends physical gold conversion scheme
The Turkish Central Bank has ended a scheme that allowed individuals to convert physical gold held outside the banking system into lira-denominated deposit and participation accounts. The regulation, which was introduced on March 14, 2022, was repealed and officially revoked on August 22, 2025. Under the previous rules, citizens could bring physical gold to authorized jewelers or bank branches to transfer it into these accounts, where the value was converted into lira at a rate determined by the Central Bank. The funds were then invested in short-term deposits or participation accounts, with the Central Bank compensating any gains from increased gold prices beyond the returns provided. Accounts opened before August 23, 2025, remained active until their maturity dates.

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.
Excavations to resume at Antalya’s ancient city of Rhodiapolis
Excavations at the ancient city of Rhodiapolis in Antalya’s Kumluca district are set to resume next year after a period of suspension. The site, which dates back to the Lycian and Byzantine periods, includes structures such as a theater, bathhouse, agora, temples, a church, cisterns, and monumental tombs. Kumluca District Governor Bahadır Güneş visited the site with a delegation, emphasizing its significance as a window into the district’s history. Beste Tomay, an archaeology expert from Adıyaman University, noted that preparations are underway, including field surveys and artifact inventory, with full excavations planned for next year. The project aims to enhance understanding of the region’s cultural history and strengthen Kumluca’s connection to its ancient past.
Nemrut’s ancient statues undergo nanolime treatment for preservation
Experts are using nanolime treatment to preserve the ancient statues at Nemrut Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southeastern Turkey. The conservation efforts, initiated in 2022, focus on sealing cracks in the stone to prevent water damage and further deterioration. Ayşe Ebru Çorbacı, director of the Gaziantep Regional Restoration and Conservation Laboratory, noted that previous conservation work yielded positive results and that the next phase began in 2025. The project involves specialists from the Gaziantep laboratory and is supported by the Culture and Tourism Ministry. The statues, dating back over 2,000 years, are part of a sanctuary built by the Kingdom of Commagene in the first century B.C., and the ongoing work aims to ensure their survival in a challenging mountain environment.
In search of Longjing: The hands behind China’s most revered green tea
The article explores the cultural significance and unique production methods of Longjing, a highly esteemed Chinese green tea. It describes a visit to Amanfayun, a resort located in Hangzhou's tea-growing region, highlighting its integration with local traditions and natural surroundings. The piece emphasizes the historical importance of Longjing, including its imperial connections during the Qing Dynasty, and explains the meticulous manual processes involved in crafting high-quality Longjing tea. The narrative focuses on the deep connection between tea cultivation and daily village life, showcasing how tea is woven into both practical and symbolic aspects of the community.
Fishermen expect abundant bonito as season opens in Türkiye
Turkish fishermen are anticipating a record-abundant bonito season as the industrial fishing season begins on September 1. According to Ramazan Özkaya, head of the Central Union of Fishery Cooperatives (SÜRKOOP), the increased bonito population could lead to a decline in anchovy numbers due to natural predation. Despite rising costs, especially for fuel, fishermen have completed necessary preparations for the season. Özkaya emphasized the importance of sustainable fishing practices to ensure the preservation of marine resources for future generations and called for stricter enforcement against illegal fishing. This year, the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry granted small-scale fishermen a 15-day early start to catch bonito, aiming to protect traditional fishers from industrial competition. Türkiye continues to implement annual seasonal fishing bans from April 15 to September 1 to support ecosystem health and fish reproduction.
Mediterranean talks shape Türkiye’s plastic strategy under Zero Waste
Turkey is enhancing its efforts to reduce plastic pollution in the Mediterranean under its Zero Waste initiative. Adana and Mersin hosted regional coordination meetings to align local strategies with national goals, focusing on preventing plastic contamination of waterways and coastal areas. Adana, a major contributor to pollution due to its extensive irrigation and drainage networks, plans to increase canal cleaning, identify pollution hotspots, and enforce stricter waste management practices. In Mersin, authorities have inspected plastic recycling facilities and are analyzing wastewater samples to address direct pollution sources. Experts emphasize the need to prevent plastic from entering the sea rather than merely cleaning it up. These discussions will lead to a national roadmap targeting reduced plastic leakage, improved recycling, and protection of marine ecosystems.
TCG Anadolu takes robotic surgery to sea in 5G trial
Turkey has conducted a 5G-enabled robotic surgery trial aboard the TCG Anadolu, a naval vessel, demonstrating the potential for remote medical procedures during maritime missions. The test, organized by the Turkish Naval Forces and Kocaeli University during Teknofest Blue Homeland, involved surgeons on land guiding a team on the ship using real-time telementoring. The trial used an organ model rather than a human patient and achieved a low latency of approximately 135 milliseconds. Officials noted that the ship's Role 2 medical facilities include multiple operating rooms and advanced equipment, suggesting future capabilities for performing surgeries at sea. The project aims to progress through stages including teleconsultation, telementoring, and eventually full telesurgery, potentially enabling complex procedures like gallbladder removal and gynecological surgeries on board.













