'Difficult days await Turkey next week,' he declared: 'There is nothing they cannot do now'
Speaking after the simultaneous 10-day broadcast suspension penalties imposed on Halk TV and Sözcü TV, Independent Turkey Party (BTP) Chairman Hüseyin Baş stated that the implementation was "not a coincidence." Hüseyin Baş warned the public, saying, "Something might be being covered up."
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While the Radio and Television Supreme Council's (RTÜK) decision to impose 10-day broadcast suspension penalties on both Halk TV and Sözcü TV has caused widespread repercussions in public opinion, one of the first political reactions to the decision came from Independent Turkey Party (BTP) Chairman Hüseyin Baş.
Arguing that the decision was taken for political purposes, Baş suggested that this situation could be "a preliminary preparation for developments that may occur in the coming days."
"THERE IS NOTHING THEY CANNOT DO NOW"
Speaking on a live broadcast on Meltem TV, Hüseyin Baş criticized the RTÜK decision with the following words:
“Those in power no longer think, 'Will this be misunderstood if we do it?' They have long since crossed that threshold. They are at a point where they think there will be no reaction. They take all kinds of decisions without regard for any social reaction. This screen-blackout decision was also taken with the same logic.”
"SANCTIONS ON TWO CHANNELS AT THE SAME TIME: A COINCIDENCE?"
Emphasizing that the penalty applied to Halk TV and Sözcü TV at the same time and for the same duration is remarkable, Baş continued as follows:
“Both channels are going off-air on the same day, at the same time, for 10 days. Although this is presented as a simple penalty, it is actually a very heavy sanction. The next step could be license revocation. This situation inevitably brings up the question, 'Is there an attempt to cover up certain developments next week?'”
"IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN, IS IT DESIRED THAT THE PUBLIC DOES NOT KNOW?"
Arguing that Turkey could witness critical developments in the coming days, Baş used the following expressions:
“My personal opinion is that difficult days may await Turkey next week. Developments that will draw reaction may occur, and this heavy intervention in the media may be being carried out to prevent these reactions from spreading. Silencing the media is an open blow to the public's right to receive information.”