RTÜK Chairman responds to İmamoğlu's call to boycott TRT

Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) Chairman Ebubekir Şahin made a statement on his social media account regarding the recent criticisms directed at TRT. Although he did not name him directly, Şahin targeted CHP's presidential candidate and removed Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in his statement.

Stating, "We condemn these irresponsible statements aimed at using TRT as a tool for political agendas," Şahin argued that this was an attack on TRT's institutional values.

"TRT PROTECTS THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO BE INFORMED"

The following statements were included in Şahin's post:

"The statements of a politician whose trial process for various crimes is ongoing, while he is under detention, targeting TRT, which carries out its public broadcasting duty with impartiality and responsibility, are a clear attack on both institutional values and the public's right to be informed."

"TRT continues to be the voice of Turkey with its deep-rooted broadcasting history, principled broadcasting approach, and international reputation. We condemn all attempts to use this institution as a tool for political agendas and remind everyone that we will stand firmly against the pressure and perception operations that target our institutions."

WHAT DID İMAMOĞLU SAY?

Ekrem İmamoğlu had criticized some television channels, primarily TRT, in harsh language in a statement he made on his social media account the other day.

"Yesterday morning, when I started the day and turned on the television, I came across some TV channels, primarily TRT, which I have been boycotting and not watching for years. While switching between channels, I happened to stop and follow when I saw that the statement of a slanderer was being read word for word on the TRT-Türk channel. This statement was read clearly for minutes; you would think it was not TRT, but the Chief Public Prosecutor's news agency!" said İmamoğlu, stating that TRT broadcasts with bias in favor of the government. 

"TRT HAS BECOME THE CHANNEL OF A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE, NOT THE PUBLIC"

Continuing his statement, İmamoğlu expressed that TRT does not broadcast impartially and noted the following:

"While watching this immoral attitude for about ten minutes in the morning, I remembered that our state's channel, which survives on the taxes of 86 million people, has become a prisoner of the power ambitions of a handful of people. I thought about the miserable and disgraceful level at which the broadcasts are made and felt sad once again for the state of this ancient institution."