Notable journalistic commentary from the AKP front on the Kılıçdaroğlu interview! 'These are things that should happen'

The live broadcast on Sözcü TV, which featured CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as a guest, has become a topic of debate in the pro-government media. While the tone of the questions directed at Kılıçdaroğlu and the reactions during the broadcast were interpreted by some pro-government writers and journalists as an "interrogation room," criticisms regarding the format of the program came to the fore.

Offering a different perspective, former AKP Central Decision and Executive Board (MKYK) member Mücahit Birinci emphasized in his statement on the matter that it is natural for journalists to ask critical and pressing questions to an opposition leader. Birinci noted that such broadcasts have not been conducted in the Turkish media for a long time.

There is a lot of talk about the Sözcü TV broadcast. I would also like to express my opinion.

As you know, I had mentioned that Kemal Bey's presence there was an act of courage before watching the content. And I found the opportunity to watch the content of the broadcast:

I would also like to say a few words about the content:...

— Mücahit Birinci (@birincimucahit) June 21, 2026

Birinci made the following assessments on the social media platform X:

"There is a lot of talk about the Sözcü TV broadcast. I would also like to express my opinion.

As you know, I had mentioned that Kemal Bey's presence there was an act of courage before watching the content. And I found the opportunity to watch the content of the broadcast:

I would also like to say a few words about the content:

Now friends, journalists pressed him, etc., forget these. These are things that should happen. Because we have been out of this reality for a long time, our system could not handle it. A journalist can ask the most unwanted question in the most provocative way. Everywhere in the world, except for us, this is how it works. 

We cannot say anything to these journalists. For example, we witnessed scenes in the White House between Trump and journalists that were a hundred times more intense, involving fights, insults, tough questions, pressure, manipulation, and people being kicked out. This is actually a situation inherent to the nature of journalism. 

Sometimes I come across press conferences from ten years ago on social media. There is an incredible change.??

Today, the same journalist could not even dream of asking the same questions. Unfortunately, this is our shortcoming... We have to admit it. 

When we look at it from this perspective and evaluate the content, the only ones at fault here are Kemal Bey, who appeared on the program, and the advisors who put him on that program. Yes, it is civil courage, yes, Kemal Bey's courage will be remembered, but they made the man a punching bag throughout the broadcast, my brother. Is this allowed!?

As I said on the day of the program; let Özgür Özel also be a guest on our program on TGRT, let's see. There is a saying on the street: If you are sure you are going to get beaten up, you don't get into that fight. Well, if you say "I'm not afraid"...

Then you get beaten up with courage. But in the end, you get beaten up... 

Best regards, have a good Sunday."

News Source: 12punto