RTÜK, which rains down penalties on opposition channels, gives a pass to a pro-government one! Ebubekir Şahin turned a blind eye for 5 months...

It has emerged that the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), which has become a stick used by the AKP government against opposition channels, has done a 'favor' for the pro-government TGRT Haber.

According to a report by Birgün, RTÜK's CHP-affiliated member İlhan Taşcı announced that TGRT Haber has been broadcasting illegally for 5 months.

Stating that “RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin has been ignoring the unlicensed broadcasting for months,” Taşcı emphasized that any channel critical of the government would absolutely not be allowed to broadcast without a license, and added the following:

“Sözcü TV, which fulfilled all its legal obligations, waited for a license from RTÜK for exactly 1.5 years. Ebubekir Şahin is displaying an arbitrary attitude; when it comes to TGRT Haber, it is as if they are playing the 'three monkeys.'

This situation can never be explained from a legal perspective; it is clearly a political stance. However, the RTÜK President should also know that ignoring illegal broadcasting will certainly have legal consequences.”

Asking RTÜK President Şahin, “Are you waiting for instructions from the Palace to intervene in the illegal broadcast?” Taşcı said the following:

“Although it is ironic, it is necessary to remind the RTÜK President of both his duty and RTÜK's special law. Not turning a blind eye to illegal broadcasting, and immediately contacting TÜRKSAT to terminate this broadcast and take the necessary initiatives, is a clear mandate of the law. This issue is not subject to the RTÜK President's arbitrary discretion or debate. The law is clear: 'Illegal broadcasting is cut off immediately, taken down from the satellite, and its equipment is sealed.' This is what must be done.”