Access Block on soL Haber's X Account Under Law No. 5651

soL Haber news portal's official account on social media platform X, which has approximately 924 thousand followers, has become unusable following an administrative decision. The access block was carried out within the scope of controversial legal frameworks aimed at regulating and monitoring internet content in the country, and this situation is considered a serious restriction in the digital media field. The sudden closure of the account in the eyes of the wide audience reached by the news has initiated a new process regarding freedom of expression and the public's right to information.

In investigations related to the issue, it was determined that the legal basis of the application is Law No. 5651 on Regulating Publications on the Internet and Combating Crimes Committed Through Such Publications. Article 8/A, included among the regulations of said law, grants broad powers to competent authorities regarding the removal of content or blocking access. While this article is often associated with crimes such as combating terrorism or child abuse, its scope of use has been expanded in recent periods and can be implemented for different reasons.

The main reason brought by the access restriction was announced as the protection of national security and public order. In the assessment made by official authorities, it was claimed that the shares made over the account or its presence has the potential to endanger these two basic national interests. These abstract and generic expressions are subject to criticism by legal professionals and human rights defenders in terms of increased arbitrariness and blurring of boundaries.

Such an access ban does not merely mean the technical closure of a social media account, but the silencing of a news source reaching wide audiences. Considering the high number of followers, the effect of the decision concerns a very wide audience directly and causes a disruption in the flow of news. Considering press freedom concerns, this event is of great importance due to the pressure it creates on digital journalism and independent media organs.

Currently, it has been made technically impossible for users to access soL Haber's account on the X platform. When users attempt to view the account, they encounter a standard access blocked page or error message referencing the relevant law article. Whether an additional explanation has been made by official authorities regarding whether the account will become active again or if the application is permanent continues the uncertainty regarding the process.