Over 400 journalists have been fired from Turkish opposition Zaman newspaper and Cihan news agency, Reuters reports, citing one of the newspaper’s former reporters.

In early March, both outlets have been placed under receivership by the ruling of the Istanbul court. Turkish journalists union condemned the authorities’ actions against opposition media, describing the rulings as the new method of censorship.

“Zaman office in Ankara has been shutdown, everyone is fired. Altogether, more than 400 people including foreign correspondents were fired from Zaman and Cihan,” the reporter told RIA Novosti.

Private TV channels Kanalturk and Bugun TV, newspapers Bugun Gazetesi and Millet Gazetesi, radio station Kanaltürk Radyo, all part of the Koza-Ipek holding, were shut down earlier this year over alleged unprofitableness.

The holding alongside the Zaman newspaper and Cihan news agency are considered by Turkish authorities to be connected with opposition Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen.