RTÜK issues decision for sports programs!

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has unanimously adopted a "principle decision" regarding the use of "careful language" in sports broadcasts.

According to the statement made by RTÜK, the principle decision taken by the supreme council, which met in an extraordinary session, pointed out that a peaceful, non-violent language aimed at creating a positive atmosphere in sports, respectful of the universal values of sports, should be used.

The decision, which calls for content that highlights the beauty of sports, included the following statements:

"Due to the fact that the issue of violence in sports occupies an important place on our country's agenda, it is essential that in the programs in question, comments regarding referee decisions, boards that appoint referees, and federation officials adhere to the use of careful language as stipulated in Law No. 6112 on the Establishment and Broadcasting Services of Radio and Television, that the limits of criticism are not exceeded, that personal rights are not violated, that insults and slander are not included, and that broadcasts are maintained within the framework of the principles of reality and accuracy."

"CAUSES IT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH NEGATIVE CONCEPTS"

In his statement on the subject, RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin stated that it has been determined that some sports programs include slang and rude expressions that provoke fans, lack common sense, contain fanaticism, and go beyond the limits of criticism directed at federation officials, club managers, football players, and referees.

Stating that various accusations are made regarding the private lives of individuals due to ratings concerns, Şahin said, "Such expressions cause fans, who integrate their teams with their own identities, to target referees when their supported teams do not get the expected results, leading to collective violence against them, the emergence of on-field and off-field acts of violence, and the association of Turkish sports with negative concepts."

Pointing out that violence in sports is unacceptable, Şahin drew attention to the fact that whoever displays violence must be opposed.

"SETTING BOUNDARIES IS INEVITABLE"

In his statement, Şahin said, "Whether it is a fan, a club manager, or the press who commits or incites violence, they must be subjected to a collective reaction as a nation," and added:

"It is inevitable to set boundaries within the framework of the law on low-quality programs that find space in some press and broadcasting organizations, which cross the line and align with neither human values nor broadcasting principles. Broadcasts that overstep their bounds harm the distinguished sports community the most. Football viewers do not deserve such programs.

Since the beginning of the season, both the TFF and our supreme council have made sincere and constructive warnings regarding sports broadcasts. However, upon seeing that these warnings were not taken into account, it became necessary to take a binding principle decision regarding sports broadcasts, where all kinds of sanctions, including license cancellation, can be applied as per Law No. 6112."