How a Turkish newspaper became a lightning rod for political and financial controversy
In short: Founded in 1948, Hürriyet evolved from a modest startup into a dominant force in Turkish media. Yet, its history is marked by dramatic clashes with authority, record-breaking tax fines, and a high-profile ownership shift that reshaped the landscape of the nation's press and its relationship with the government.
Established by Sedat Simavi on May 1, 1948, Hürriyet began with a staff of 48 and quickly gained traction, selling 50,000 copies in its first week. Over the decades, it grew into a massive operation, printing in six Turkish cities and Frankfurt, Germany. By 2008, it managed a sprawling network of 52 offices and 600 reporters. Beyond hard news, the paper became a cultural institution, notably co-sponsoring the annual Golden Butterfly Awards for television and music since 2016.
The paper's influence has often invited state scrutiny. In 1965, authorities confiscated the publication following its coverage of a letter from US President Lyndon B. Johnson regarding Cyprus. Decades later, the paper faced even greater pressure. In 2009, the Doğan Group, then the parent company, was hit with a staggering $2.5 billion tax fine. Executives argued this was political intimidation, a claim echoed by international observers like the European Commission, who feared for press pluralism. Critics drew parallels to the treatment of the Russian oil firm Yukos, though Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan vehemently rejected these comparisons.
The ownership landscape shifted decisively in March 2018, when Demirören Holding acquired the Doğan media assets for approximately $1.2 billion. This transition was significant, as the Demirören family is widely viewed as having close ties to President Erdoğan and a pro-government editorial stance. Today, Hürriyet remains a high-circulation pillar of Turkish media, maintaining a mainstream conservative outlook while balancing its traditional news coverage with entertainment. As of late 2025 and early 2026, it continues to command significant reach, ranking as one of the most visited websites in the country and holding the second-highest print circulation in Turkey.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Hürriyet
- Also: Wikidata — Hürriyet · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Hürriyet · CC0
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