Journalist Özlem Akarsu Çelik accuses Cafer Mahiroğlu of 'censorship': ROK controversy at Halk TV grows

Following the appearance of Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı on Halk TV's YouTube channel, journalists Barış Terkoğlu, Barış Pehlivan, Murat Ağırel, Şule Aydın, Timur Soykan, and Serpil Yılmaz resigned in protest. Halk TV owner Cafer Mahiroğlu stated that he had wanted to join the broadcast of the resigning journalists, but his request was denied. Mahiroğlu claimed that the resignations followed this incident and argued that his right of reply was not granted.

In his statement, Mahiroğlu said, "The fact that our colleagues who host programs on the channel can easily criticize the channel and its owner shows that I have established a culture of critical journalism." Emphasizing the importance he places on editorial independence, Mahiroğlu stated that the criticisms were not intended to 'exercise the right of reply' and that the processes regarding the selection of guests for the programs in question were conducted within the framework of rules he had set.

Following this, former Halk TV employee Özlem Akarsu Çelik shared a tweet on the social media platform X, making allegations that she had also been subjected to interference in the past. While expressing her criticisms regarding the channel's 'black and white list' methods for guest selection, pressures on journalistic independence, and working conditions, Çelik harshly criticized the management approach within the institution.

The controversy is not limited to the broadcast of the interview but also encompasses the channel management's approach toward journalists, working conditions, and allegations of editorial interference. The parties involved stated that they would provide further explanations to the public on these matters.

Mr. Cafer Mahiroğlu, you still do not want to understand what editorial independence is, and you do not respect journalists.

With your sentence, “The fact that our colleagues who host programs on the channel can easily criticize the channel and its owner shows that I have established a culture of critical journalism”… https://t.co/x4SbxTcufX

— Özlem Akarsu Çelik (@oakarsucelik) March 11, 2025

News Source: 12punto