RTÜK rains down fines: 'Exceeding the limits of criticism' cited as reason
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has issued a wave of fines. Most recently, TELE 1 was fined 3 percent of its advertising revenue on the grounds that journalist Merdan Yanardağ had "exceeded the limits of criticism toward the government," while Flash Haber was hit with a fine and a three-time program suspension due to theologian Cemil Kılıç’s "views contrary to national and spiritual values."
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RTÜK continues to impose fines on programs and broadcasts in the "opposition" media.
According to a report by Mustafa Bildircin from BirGün; fines were issued for TELE 1 and Flash Haber during the Supreme Council meeting. RTÜK member Tuncay Keser reacted to the penalties, stating, "There is no tolerance for different interpretations and criticism in any area." Keser emphasized that he had voted against the decisions.
RTÜK imposed an administrative fine of 3 percent of advertising revenue on TELE 1, citing that journalist Merdan Yanardağ’s assessments on TELE 1 had "exceeded the limits of criticism toward the government."
NATIONAL AND SPIRITUAL VALUES
It was argued that theologian Cemil Kılıç's remarks that "Angels exist but are not ontological beings," as well as his views that "prayer can be performed in Turkish," were "contrary to national and spiritual values."
In this context, it was decided to impose a fine of 3 percent of advertising revenue on Flash Haber, where Kılıç appears, along with a three-time program suspension sanction.