Harsh words for Fatih Portakal from Halk TV boss Cafer Mahiroğlu! 'I will not be intimidated by hitmen like you'

Sözcü TV main news anchor Fatih Portakal sparked a major controversy with his statement regarding the detained journalists.

A response to Portakal came from Halk TV owner Cafer Mahiroğlu.

Mahiroğlu wrote the following: 

“Sözcü Television's main news anchor Fatih Portakal has not only criticized our colleagues and our journalism, but has also targeted me.

I understand the enemies of Halk TV and the trolls, but what is a personality who positions himself as a main news anchor on an opposition channel trying to achieve by targeting me?

He cannot be unaware that what he is doing is targeting. By targeting me, he is trying to say, 'Detentions are not enough, you should take him too.' 

I have no account that I cannot answer before the laws of the Republic of Turkey, but you and people like you want to settle scores at such times and target others. Because this is the general behavior of unprincipled, incompetent wretches. While you were taking shots at the honorable journalists at Halk TV, and especially at our colleagues who have been practicing journalism for years, you at least revealed that I was your real target. 

Tell those who gave you this task: I will not be intimidated by hitmen like you.”

Sözcü Televizyonu’nun ana haber sunucusu Fatih Portakal, arkadaşlarımızı, gazeteciliğimizi eleştirmekle yetinmemiş beni hedef göstermiş.
Halk TV düşmanlarını, trolleri anlıyorum fakat kendisini muhalif bir kanalda ana haber sunucusu olarak konumlayan bir şahsiyet acaba beni hedef…

— Cafer Mahiroglu (@cafermahiroglu) January 29, 2025

WHAT DID PORTAKAL SAY?

Fatih Portakal had used the following expressions: 

“The reason they are appearing before the prosecutor is this: 'Recording a conversation with someone without permission, publishing it, and targeting.' This is a criminal element in the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), and every journalist knows this. It is impossible for Barış not to know. It is impossible for Serhan and Seda not to know... There is a concept called 'off the record.' This exists in press professional rules. You don't publish it; you say a few sentences.

I watched it too. I was surprised when I watched it. I said, 'How did Halk TV publish this?' I criticized this. I absolutely do not approve of the way they were detained. You summon them for a statement; you don't necessarily have to come to the channel with the police. They are already putting on a show; the prosecutor's office is putting on a show, the police are putting on a show... You take their statement and make your decision.”

News Source: 12punto