RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin signals intervention in street interviews

Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) President Ebubekir Şahin, in a statement made via his social media account, claimed that some street interview broadcasts are deliberately creating a negative perception in society.

Şahin stated, “As a result of the analyses conducted by the Monitoring and Evaluation Experts of our Supreme Council, it has been determined that there has been a recent increase in efforts to create a perception that ‘everything is going wrong’ through some broadcasts under the name of street interviews, which are conducted systematically and with the conscious steering efforts of the person conducting the interview.”

Emphasis on 'contrary to public interest'

The RTÜK President claimed that such broadcasts are contrary to media ethics, the limits of freedom of expression, and the public interest, stating, “These broadcasts, which exploit the emotions of certain segments and damage the public's sense of hope, are contrary to media ethics, the limits of freedom of expression, and the public interest.”

'Criticism is an element of democracy, but...'

In his statement, Şahin emphasized that criticism is an indispensable element of democracy, but argued that constructive criticism must be distinguished from broadcasts that target the morale of society. He used the expressions, “Criticism is of course an indispensable element of democracy; however, constructive criticism and a language of systematic pessimism aimed at destroying the morale of society and its belief in the future are not the same thing.”

'Legal powers will be used to the fullest'

Ebubekir Şahin, reminding that they have issued similar warnings as RTÜK before, used the following expressions:

“As RTÜK, we will never allow such broadcasts, which we have clearly warned about before, to create hopelessness and division in society. We emphasize once again that content that deliberately steers public opinion and drags the public into pessimism will not be tolerated, and we importantly remind that we will use all legal powers to the fullest regarding similar broadcasts.”

News Source: İHA