The United States reiterated its call on Turkey to respect press freedom after the country's media watchdog warned three international media outlets that it would block their content unless they obtained a national publishing license.

"Our concerns about press freedom in Turkey are based on detailed evidence. We continue to warn Turkey to respect and protect freedom of the press," a U.S. State Department spokesperson said in a written statement to the VOA.

Turkey's Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), has warned international news outlets that they need to obtain a license or risk being blocked, said RTÜK member Ilhan Tashci.

International outlets, including the Turkish-language websites of VOA, Deutsche Welle and Euronews, have 72 hours to apply for a national license or their content will be blocked, Tashci said.

The decision of RTÜK will be published on its website within 7-10 days. A 72-hour period will then begin for the media to apply for a license, Council Vice President Ibrahim Uslu told the German news agency dpa.

RTÜK's power to regulate foreign news outlets appears to stem from a 2019 law that gives it the power to regulate internet platforms in Turkey.