Turkey ranks 163rd in the World Press Freedom Index.

Omissions

• The ranking is out of 180 countries, which the claim did not specify.
• Turkey's rank deteriorated from 158th in 2024 and 159th in 2025 to 163rd in 2026, its lowest position ever — context that reinforces rather than undermines the claim.
• The 2026 RSF Index was published on 30 April 2026, before the session date of 14 September 2026, so the MEP could have known the figure.

Sources

• PrimaryReporters Without Borders (RSF) — Türkiye country pageIndex 2026. 163/ 180. Score : 27.94.
• PrimaryReporters Without Borders (RSF) — 2026 RSF Index: press freedom at a 25-year lowIn Türkiye (163rd), anti-terrorism laws are not the only kind of ...
• SecondaryTurkish Minute — Turkey plunges to 163rd in RSF press freedom indexTurkey fell to 163rd out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Thursday,