RTÜK rains down penalties on opposition channels!

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has adopted new sanction decisions against opposition media outlets. According to a statement by RTÜK member Tuncay Keser, who was elected from the CHP quota, two penalties were imposed on TELE1, while one penalty each was issued to SZC TV, Halk TV, Meltem TV, and Sun RTV.

TELE1 was issued two separate 3 percent administrative fines, citing the subtitle "What is the difference between RTE and Netanyahu?" used in the program "Türkiye’nin Yönü" (Turkey's Direction) and Merdan Yanardağ's remarks regarding Alevis. Despite Yanardağ apologizing and broadcasting a correction in both instances, RTÜK penalized these broadcasts on the grounds that they "exceeded the limits of criticism."

SZC TV was penalized due to remarks made by CHP deputies regarding police intervention during the program "Sözün Aslı" (The Truth of the Matter). RTÜK concluded that these statements carried the "implication that court decisions were made under political pressure" and imposed a 3 percent fine.

The sanction imposed on Halk TV also occurred during the program "Açıkça" (Clearly). Murat Kubilay's remarks regarding the MHP and its Chairman Devlet Bahçeli in the program were evaluated as "exceeding the limits of criticism," resulting in a 3 percent fine.

In addition to these, SUN RTV was fined for violating a broadcast ban, while MELTEM TV was fined for broadcasting unverified information.

PENALTIES EXCEEDING 22 MILLION TL

According to RTÜK's decisions, in 2025 alone, 15 sanctions were imposed on SZC TV, 15 on TELE1, and 14 on Halk TV. These penalties include 25 days of broadcast suspension, 26 program suspensions, and total fines exceeding 22 million TL.

Reacting to the decisions, RTÜK member Tuncay Keser stated, "Freedom of expression, which is under constitutional guarantee, does not only cover views in favor of the majority; it also encompasses broadcasts that are disturbing, harsh, or target the political power. Otherwise, the impartiality of institutions is cast in shadow, and the formation of democratic public opinion is damaged."

News Source: 12punto