CHP delegation makes statement in front of RTÜK building: 'Do not darken the country'

The CHP Group held a press statement in front of the RTÜK building to protest the fines imposed on television channels.

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır stated, "We are here today for one of the practices that RTÜK has turned into a habit, for a dark day."

Announcing the penalties, Başarır continued his speech as follows:

"It punishes these channels because it views them as opposition channels. Actually, this is wrong. They are reporting the truth, they are reporting impartially. I cannot appear on Beyaz TV or CNN Türk, but if a minister wanted to appear with me on Halk TV today, they could come and broadcast very comfortably."

"THE ELECTION VEHICLE WAS HIJACKED"

"Very heavy penalties were imposed to silence the opposition and threaten free broadcasting. RTÜK, this government is not just darkening channels. It is darkening universities and the youth. While coming here, we could not bring our party vehicle, our bus, here. A police officer took the ignition key and gave it to someone else. The CHP's election vehicle was hijacked."

"People are now uneasy when appearing on Halk TV or Sözcü TV; they cannot speak comfortably. Why are you bringing the country to this state? We came here today with our citizens to warn RTÜK. If you continue these practices, we will come here tomorrow with at least 100 thousand of our citizens."

"This is not a threat; this is our constitutional right. It is our most fundamental right arising from Article 34 of the Constitution. Therefore, stop darkening the country. Leave the channels and newspapers alone. Because these channels are the people's channels. They are the channels of 86 million; commentators and journalists that everyone values speak here. We stand with the channels to the end. The public is also behind them."

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir also issued warnings to Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya in his statement, saying, "Do not give unlawful orders, do not use disproportionate violence against young people, do not commit crimes!"

CHP Deputy Chairman Burhanettin Bulut expressed that the public did not cower on July 15 or September 12, and they will not cower today either.

Criticizing RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin and the penalties imposed on the channels, Bulut stated, "Halk TV, Tele1, NOW, Sözcü, these are our channels. We kiss the foreheads of all of them and all the press workers working there."

WHAT HAPPENED?

RTÜK had issued a 10-day broadcast suspension penalty to Sözcü TV, claiming that live broadcasts from Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir were used to "incite the public to hatred and hostility" through commentary.

Tele 1, Halk TV, and Now TV were also issued administrative fines and program suspension penalties.

On the other hand, a decision was made to impose an access ban on the YouTube channels of Fatih Altaylı and İlker Canikligil if they do not obtain a license within 72 hours.