Response from RTÜK member İlhan Taşçı to Ebubekir Şahin
Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) member İlhan Taşçı has alleged that RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin is exerting pressure on television channels. In a statement made via social media, Taşçı claimed that RTÜK bureaucrats have been calling television executives to order the suspension of live broadcasts, warning them that they would otherwise face license cancellation.
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Taşçı stated that Şahin's instruction regarding the protests is unlawful, noting that the RTÜK President does not have the authority to directly intervene in ongoing broadcasts. Expressing that this approach undermines press freedom, Taşçı argued that Şahin is exceeding his authority and pressuring the channels.
İlhan Taşçı emphasized that this instruction is entirely unlawful, reiterating that the RTÜK President lacks the authority to directly intervene in ongoing broadcasts. Stating that this attempt is an approach that disregards press freedom, Taşçı alleged that Şahin is exceeding his authority and pressuring television channels.
In a statement made via social media, Şahin issued warnings to organizations broadcasting regarding the 'İmamoğlu investigation.' In his message shared under the title 'A Clear and Very Important Warning to Broadcasting Organizations!', Şahin included the following statements:
''As we have stated before; our media needs to act with moderation regarding the investigations conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and should give space to official information coming from authorities, not to biased and untrue news. We had made the necessary warnings regarding broadcasting in accordance with the law and principle decisions. During this process, the highest level of program suspension penalties were applied to broadcasting organizations that did not comply with the laws.''
In the continuation of his statement, Şahin added the following:
'Long-term broadcast suspension and license cancellation penalties will be applied to organizations that engage in illegal broadcasting, invite the public to the streets, feature commentators who make statements like spokespersons for illegal organizations, and engage in biased broadcasting that violates personal rights.'