Penalties for SÖZCÜ TV, Halk TV, and Tele 1: Mansur Yavaş reacts with 'the press is free'

While SÖZCÜ TV was handed a 10-day broadcast suspension, SÖZCÜ Television will be unable to broadcast for 10 days.

In addition to SÖZCÜ TV, Halk TV and Tele 1 were issued a 5 percent fine and a 5-time program suspension penalty. Furthermore, on the grounds that the limits of criticism were exceeded in the broadcasts, a 2 percent fine was imposed on NOW TV, and 3 percent fines were imposed on each of SÖZCÜ TV, Halk TV, and Tele 1.

“The press is free, it cannot be censored.”

This is not just a sentence, it is Article 28 of our Constitution.
The public's right to receive information, along with freedom of thought and expression, is the fundamental pillar of our democracy.

The heavy penalties imposed by RTÜK on SÖZCÜ TV, HALK TV, TELE 1, and NOW TV are a clear violation of this fundamental…

— Mansur Yavaş (@mansuryavas06) March 27, 2025

REACTION FROM MANSUR YAVAŞ

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Yavaş, who reacted to the decision, stated the following in his social media post:

“The press is free, it cannot be censored.”

This is not just a sentence, it is Article 28 of our Constitution.

The public's right to receive information, along with freedom of thought and expression, is the fundamental pillar of our democracy.

The heavy penalties imposed by RTÜK on SÖZCÜ TV, HALK TV, TELE 1, and NOW TV are a clear violation of this fundamental right.

It should not be forgotten that the public's right to receive information is sacred."