Concerns are mounting over the state of press freedom in Turkey, as the country continues to fall in the Press Freedom Index. Independent media outlets and opposition voices are increasingly worried about the complicity of tech giants in the Turkish government's efforts to suppress dissent. The controversy surrounding the suspension of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's X (formerly Twitter) account, allegedly due to a Turkish court order, has intensified these concerns. This action, along with the suspension of accounts belonging to Imamoglu's supporters, has drawn widespread condemnation and highlighted the broader issue of tech companies' stance towards Turkey.

Erol Onderoglu of Reporters Without Borders suggests that international tech companies prioritize maintaining positive relationships with Turkish authorities, influenced by both democratic standards and financial incentives tied to Turkey's vibrant advertising market. Google is also facing criticism, with accusations of altering its algorithms, leading to a drastic decrease in traffic to independent media websites and a subsequent loss of crucial advertising revenue. This comes at a time when the internet has served as a crucial platform for alternative voices, challenging the dominance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who controls approximately 90% of mainstream media.

Volga Koscuoglu, editor-in-chief of Bianet, an independent news portal, points out that Google search results tend to favor pro-government or state media, while independent media outlets are conspicuously absent. This issue compounds the existing challenges faced by Turkey's independent media, including arrests and fines imposed by Turkish authorities. Koscuoglu fears the government aims to extend its control over the media landscape to the internet, potentially through political pressure on companies like Google, especially considering recent laws designed to control social media platforms in Turkey.

Duvar, a prominent independent news portal, was forced to close in March due to a significant drop in revenue following the alleged algorithm changes by Google. While Google has not directly addressed these accusations, an anonymous spokesperson told Reuters that algorithm changes are aimed at improving search functionality. However, experts believe the Turkish government exerts control over tech giants by holding them accountable under Turkish law. This includes potential bandwidth restrictions for non-compliant platforms, ranging from 50% to 90%, a risk that social media providers are keen to avoid.

The decline in web activity, with some independent media organizations reporting drops of up to 90% in recent months, threatens their survival and has led to journalist layoffs. Onderoglu of Reporters Without Borders warns that this situation could lead to the "extinction of pluralism" within the media, resulting in a single, official narrative dominating the country. This is a concern not only in Turkey but in numerous countries worldwide, where journalists are essential in providing alternative perspectives.

The situation raises questions about Google's power as a gatekeeper to internet information and the transparency of its search engine algorithms. As Turkey's independent media struggles to survive amidst arrests, fines, and now, declining online visibility, the debate over the role and responsibility of tech giants in upholding press freedom intensifies.