"Freedom of the media is key to democracy and the rule of law. I call on the Turkish authorities to protect independent journalism and maintain freedom of expression. The recent deportations, arrests, punishments and broadcast bans against the free press are contrary to the democratic tradition of Turkey," EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos wrote on the social network X. She reminded that freedom of assembly is a fundamental right to which Turkey has committed itself as a member of the Council of Europe and a candidate for the EU.