A Turkish newspaper with links to the country's President has published a homophobic headline calling those who died in the Orlando mass shooting 'perverts' and 'deviants'.

Yeni Akit, a right-wing newspaper which has supported the likes of Al-Qaeda in the past, broke news of the attack with the headline: 'Death toll rises to 50 in bar where perverted homosexuals go!'

The headline has caused a backlash online, where it has been suggested that the exclamation mark indicates that the paper is celebrating the attack, rather than condemning it.

Turkish newspaper Yeni Akit, which has strong ties to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his party, broke news of the Florida attack with the headline: 'Death toll rises to 50 in bar where perverted homosexuals go!'

Akit, which is a far-right publication known for hate speech against gays, Jews and Christians, was able publish the story despite increasing crackdowns on press freedoms in Turkey

Yeni Akit has long supported Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP), which President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan used to lead.

The paper, whose name means 'New Agreement, is also known for having strong links to Erdogan, in a country where press freedom is being heavily restricted by his government.

According to Turkish think-tank the Hrant Dink Foundation, Yeni Akit is one of the worst offenders when it comes to using hate speech against minorities, in particular the LGBT community, but also against Jews, Armenians and Christians.

In just four months in 2013, when the foundation competed its last survey, they found 175 articles where hate speech was directed at one of eight separate minority groups.

At least 50 people were killed and another 53 wounded at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in the early hours of Sunday when gunman Omar Mateen, 29, from Port St. Lucie, opened fire.

At least 50 people were shot dead and another 53 wounded at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in the early hours of Sunday marking the deadliest mass shooting in American history

The shooting was carried out by Omar Mateen, 29, who called 911 shortly before the attack to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, the spiritual leader of ISIS

Mateen, whose parents are of Afghan descent, took another 30 people hostage while wearing what is believed to have been a suicide vest, but was shot before he could detonate it.

SWAT officers used a controlled explosion to distract Mateen before shooting him dead in a hail of gunfire, with police chiefs saying their actions likely saved 'many lives.'

ISIS has since claimed responsibility for the attack, though it is unclear exactly what connection Mateen has to the group.

While Mateen called 911 shortly before the attack to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, the spiritual leader of the terror group, security services say they have no evidence of contact between him and the organization prior to the attack.

Erdogan has been attempting to crack down on negative headlines about his administration in an attempt to bolster his increasingly unpopular reputation as many Turks feel his views do not represent their own.

Devastated club-goers wept in the streets of Orlando following the attack as they waiting to be interviewed by police about the carnage they witnessed

Around 30 people were held hostage by Mateen, who was thought to be wearing a suicide vest, until SWAT teams managed to distract him with a controlled explosion before shooting him dead (pictured, club attendees)

According to Freedom House, an NGO which monitors democratic freedoms around the world, Turkish press freedom has deteriorated sharply over the past several years.

In 2015 alone, three journalists were killed in connection with their work, while dozens more were prosecuted by the government under anti-terrorism laws for reports critical of the government.

Erdogan was personally called out by the group for inciting violence against several publications, including one whose offices were attacked several times over the year.

Accreditation for journalists was also brought under further government control, allowing officials to handpick reporters for prominent positions.