The Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı interview that stirred up Halk TV! Reactions were swift, and ROK has issued his first statement

Journalist Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, known for his proximity to the government, spoke to Halk TV's YouTube channel regarding the new reconciliation process architected by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli.

Halk TV was flooded with reactions from viewers due to the Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı interview.

The channel's prominent faces, journalists Barış Terkoğlu, Timur Soykan, Barış Pehlivan, and Murat Ağırel, also reacted to the situation.

Journalist Barış Pehlivan, who stated that Kütahyalı has been involved in the media side of political trials, shared his thoughts on his social media account.

"IT DOES NOT SUIT A HALK TV MICROPHONE"

Pehlivan stated, "I watched the Halk TV YouTube channel's interview with Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı. My views are summarized as follows:

1- A journalist can interview anyone. In fact, one can interview a terrorist, a mafia member, or a hitman... From this perspective, I do not fundamentally see a problem with interviewing Kütahyalı.

2- However, journalism is a relationship of contact and distance. That is, you can make contact with anyone, but you must also maintain your distance."

3- It is clear from the Halk TV YouTube channel interview that the interviewer did not actually know who Kütahyalı is. This is very sad.

4- Our young reporter colleague may not know. However, there are many experienced names at Halk TV who could have informed them and reminded them of recent history.

5- Kütahyalı is one of the media pillars of the decay we see in Turkey today. One pillar of political trials is the media, used to manufacture consent. Kütahyalı is one of the voluntary, conscious, and organized supporters of the conspiracies in Turkey after 2007. If he is a journalist, please do not call me a journalist.

6- Giving someone like this a "wise" role on the issue of the Kurdish opening is unfortunately a huge mistake. Kütahyalı should only be able to speak into Halk TV microphones in the position of a "confessor."

7- For example, he should have been asked why, how, and in exchange for what he supported the Fethullahists who sabotaged previous resolution processes. Saying things like "You provided important information" to Kütahyalı, words he does not deserve, does not suit a Halk TV microphone.

8- Halk TV is a television channel that is the pride of these lands. It has risen on the shoulders of the most honorable people in this country, from its owner to its interns. It was an interview that did not befit this accumulation and this effort," he stated.

"I STAND BY IT"

Quoting Pehlivan's post, journalist Barış Terkoğlu said, "Dear Barış Pehlivan

I agree with him. I would sign my name under it. What makes history out of what has been lived is what a person accumulates in their mind. Fortunately, our memory is as strong as life itself," he said.

IT SADDENED ME TO SEE HIM UNDER THE HALK TV LOGO

Timur Soykan, stating that Kütahyalı acted as a hitman for FETÖ and the government, expressed his grievance to the channel's management, saying, "I do not find it right for Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı's interview to be published on the Halk TV YouTube channel. It saddened me to see this person, who acted as a hitman for FETÖ members and the Palace regime, appear under the logo of Halk TV, which has paid the price for the struggle for democracy."

Journalist Murat Ağırel, a regular guest on Halk TV, was also among those who reacted to the situation. 

Ağırel stated, "I cannot accept that the Halk TV YouTube channel, where I appear weekly on the #KaydaGeçsin program, gives space to the statements of a person who in the past sang praises to the FETÖ terrorist organization, defended the conspiracy trials, and today still swings a sword at those who oppose the process carried out with the so-called terrorist organization, as if he were a reputable figure. Seeing this on a platform where we have put in years of effort contradicts my principles and my understanding of journalism."

KÜTAHYALI: ACTUALLY, I SHOULD BE THE ONE ANGRY AT HALK TV

Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, who shared the interview on his social media account with the note, "Put aside your feelings toward me...", responded to the reactions by saying, "Why is the person speaking being discussed instead of the truths being spoken? The important thing is not the person speaking; that individual is of no importance. The truths being spoken are what matter."

Kütahyalı also posted, "Halk TV is in turmoil, but actually, I should be the one angry at Halk TV :) Because they filmed it with such a camera angle that I look like the late Süleyman Demirel, sitting there weighing 150 kilos!!! What kind of image is that, you could have at least let me unbutton this jacket :)"