Tax collected by TRT during the AKP era is staggering

Balıkesir MP and NATO Parliamentary Assembly member Turhan Çömez claimed that TRT did not show sufficient respect for Atatürk and the Republic on November 10. In a statement made via social media, Çömez expressed that TRT has collected 12 billion dollars in taxes from the Turkish nation during the AKP era, but that these revenues were not used to commemorate Atatürk.

Çömez pointed out that the revenues TRT generates from advertisements and other practices are unknown, noting that this situation indicates a lack of transparency. November 10 is commemorated as the anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, and this day is marked with various events across the country.

As a public broadcaster, TRT is expected to provide guidance to society on national days and significant historical events. However, Çömez argued that this expectation was not met and that TRT did not show the necessary respect for Atatürk and the Republic. These criticisms have reopened the debate regarding TRT's role as a public service broadcaster and how that role is being fulfilled.