RTÜK imposes fine on Zuhal Topal'la Yemekteyiz

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) issued various penalties regarding broadcasting violations detected on television channels during its latest meeting. TV8 and TLC channels received administrative fines and program suspension penalties as a result of the investigations.

In the program titled “Zuhal Topal’la Yemekteyiz” aired on TV8, discussions held over a female contestant's age were evaluated as leading to “age discrimination” and damaging personal dignity, resulting in an administrative fine of 2 percent of the channel's broadcasting revenue. On the other hand, the film titled “Geber” aired on TLC was issued an administrative fine of 3 percent along with a one-time program suspension penalty on the grounds that the intense violent scenes in the film encourage violence and cause it to be normalized in society.

Supreme Council member Tuncay Keser, in his statement following the sanction decisions, underlined that media organizations must observe social responsibility while broadcasting. Keser stated, “While there are many reasons for the increasingly painful incidents of violence in society, it is known that violent content in the media affects a large part of society, and its behavioral and psychological effects on children and young people in particular are greater. It is clear that all stakeholders in the media field, along with RTÜK, have responsibilities regarding productions containing violence.

It is a necessity that the best interests of children and young people are taken into account in media content, and that broadcasting policies are created not only with a rating-focused approach, but by prioritizing the safety of our children and young people, who are our common future. The Supreme Council must maintain a measured, consistent, and impartial stance in the effective fight against violent broadcasts and must decisively apply the necessary sanctions against broadcasts that encourage or normalize violence.”