LAUSANNE, October 23, 2024 – AIPS strongly condemns the removal of Oğuz Tongsir, the President of our member organization, the Turkish Sports Writers Association (TSYD), and the appointment of a government-appointed trustee in his place. This decision is a direct interference with press freedom and the independence of sports. Journalism, as a cornerstone of democratic societies, must be kept free from any political pressure.

We demand the immediate reversal of this decision to ensure an environment where sports writers can work freely, and we call for respect of the autonomy of the Turkish Sports Writers Association, allowing it to resolve matters within its own dynamics.