News from Civsy, based on generative AI tools and retrieval-augumented real time data searchEstablished in 2016 under the Platform for Independent Journalism (P24), SUSMA24 (Speak Up Platform) emerged as a response to Turkey’s escalating repression of artistic expression. Founded by journalists and civil rights advocates, it operates as a coalition of over 120 cultural institutions, publishers, and NGOs. Governed by P24’s executive board, the initiative is funded by grants such as the SEK 2 million provided by Sweden’s Postkodstiftelsen, ensuring independence from state influence1.
Key Milestones
SUSMA24’s annual Turkey Censorship and Self-Censorship Report has documented hundreds of cases annually since 2016, revealing trends like the prosecution of musicians under anti-terror laws and bans on theatre productions addressing Kurdish rights or LGBTQ+ themes2. In 2022, the platform supported the reversal of a ban on the play Şanlıurfa, which critiqued state violence against Kurds, marking a significant legal victory3.
International Advocacy Initiative (2023–2025)
This three-year project focuses on amplifying Turkey’s censorship crisis globally through:
Multilingual Outreach: Turkish/English news reports, podcasts, and video interviews highlighting cases like the prosecution of folk singer Azad Bedran for “terror propaganda” over traditional Kurdish songs13.
Lawmaker Engagement: Advocacy targeting EU parliamentarians to pressure Turkey on compliance with international free-expression standards1.
Roundtable Dialogues: Meetings in Istanbul, Diyarbakır, and Izmir between artists, lawyers, and officials to address permit denials and funding cuts1.
Censored Art Exhibitions: Displays at P24’s Istanbul hub, such as a 2023 showcase of banned political cartoons, reaching thousands of viewers online and offline1.
Documented Impact
SUSMA24 has recorded hundreds of censorship incidents annually, including the defunding of theatres linked to the 2013 Gezi Park protests2. Workshops in three cities have trained artists on navigating legal threats, while partnerships with Freemuse led to a 2024 submission to the UN Human Rights Council detailing Turkey’s misuse of anti-terror laws3.
Future Directions
Amid Turkey’s tightening restrictions, SUSMA24 plans to expand digital archiving of censored works and strengthen collaborations with European cultural networks. Their model—rooted in local resilience and global advocacy—remains vital for artists facing persecution. SUSMA24 exemplifies how grassroots documentation and transnational solidarity can defend artistic freedom in repressive contexts. By amplifying suppressed voices, it upholds art’s role as a catalyst for social change.
Standing Up for Artistic Freedom in Turkey
Since 2016, SUSMA24 (Speak Up Platform) has been a vital force against state censorship targeting artists, musicians, and cultural workers in Turkey. Founded under Platform24, this coalition of 120+ cultural institutions has documented hundreds of suppression cases annually—from banned Kurdish theatre to prosecuted musicians.
Their impact goes global: multilingual advocacy, censored art exhibits, EU engagement, and submissions to the UN. In a time of increasing repression, SUSMA24 is a beacon of resilience.
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Learn more about SUSMA24’s work at platform24.org.
Sources
1 Postkodstiftelsen Grant and Project Details
2 SUSMA24’s 2019 Censorship Report
3 Freemuse and P24’s UN Human Rights Council Submission
