Including 'Arka Sokaklar': RTÜK imposes program suspension penalties on 4 TV series

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) announced its punitive sanctions against various television channels in its latest meeting. While an administrative fine was imposed on Kanal D's series Arka Sokaklar due to scenes featuring a "religious cult" theme, TV8 and EXXEN also received maximum fines for illegal betting advertisements. Furthermore, various sanctions were imposed on opposition media outlets.

RTÜK IMPOSES 'CULT' PENALTY ON ARKA SOKAKLAR

The first report on the agenda of the RTÜK meeting was the "Arka Sokaklar Series" broadcast on Kanal D. During the meeting, it was found that scenes in the series where "beliefs in society are portrayed as if they were only in the hands of one person or group, and where a religious group makes threatening statements against state law enforcement officers, are contrary to broadcasting principles."

Concluding that the broadcasted scenes "led to the exploitation of religious values in society," the Supreme Council imposed a maximum administrative fine on Kanal D.

ILLEGAL BETTING PENALTY FOR TV8 AND EXXEN

Opening the commercial communication broadcast file, RTÜK first imposed sanctions on TV8 for failing to comply with advertising duration rules. Subsequently, illegal betting advertisements and encouraging imagery were brought to RTÜK's agenda.

Due to illegal betting advertisements during both the national match and the Lille - Fenerbahçe Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round match, maximum fines were imposed on TV8 and EXXEN. S SPORT+ was also issued a maximum administrative fine for violating the principle in Law No. 6112, which states that "Broadcasting services... cannot be of a nature that encourages the use of addictive substances such as alcohol, tobacco products, and drugs, or gambling." during the Leganes - Real Madrid football match.

'VIOLENCE' PENALTIES FOR TV SERIES

Star TV's "Sahipsizler", NOW's "Yabani", and Show TV's "Deha" series were sanctioned at the maximum level due to scenes containing violence, particularly against women. The series were also processed for being contrary to national and moral values.

A program suspension decision was issued regarding these series.

PENALTIES RAIN DOWN ON OPPOSITION NEWS CHANNELS

Sözcü TV's "Arena" program, Halk TV's "Rota", the "Sabah Pusulası" broadcast on TELE 1, and Flash Haber's "Ana Haber Bülteni" and "Başkent’te Gündem" programs were brought to the agenda on the grounds that they "did not adhere to the principles of impartiality and accuracy."

News reports about Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu in the Arena program were the justification for the sanction.

In the Halk TV broadcast, the justification for the penalty was the claim that "the principle of impartiality was set aside to conduct propaganda against the political power, and that untrue allegations were made against the leader and management of the MHP, a partner in the government," and a sanction was applied to the channel. The Supreme Council decided to impose maximum administrative fines on the broadcasters in question.

In its latest meeting, RTÜK also decided to impose an administrative fine on Kanal Ege due to a rule violation.

News Source: 12punto