Investigation into Vedat Milor over 'City Restaurant' visit brought to Turkish Parliament

The investigation launched by the Ministry of Trade into food critic and sociologist Vedat Milor for visiting a 'City Restaurant' (Kent Lokantası) has been brought to the parliamentary agenda. CHP Diyarbakır MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu submitted a parliamentary question for Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat to answer.

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Investigation into Vedat Milor over 'City Restaurant' visit brought to Turkish Parliament

An investigation was launched by the Ministry of Trade against food critic and sociologist Vedat Milor on the grounds of 'covert advertising' after he visited the Üsküdar City Restaurant, run by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), and shared a video of his meal on his YouTube account. The ministry requested a written statement from Milor.

The investigation drew backlash from numerous figures, most notably Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. CHP Diyarbakır MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu submitted a parliamentary question to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) for Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat to answer.

Tanrıkulu stated, ''Although Vedat Milor has declared that this visit took place entirely on his own initiative and that he did not receive payment from any institution, the continuation of the investigation raises various debates regarding the freedom of expression of the press, social media content creators, and critics.''

Tanrıkulu directed the following questions to Minister of Trade Bolat:

"What is the Ministry of Trade's legal framework regarding the concept of 'covert advertising,' and what are the criteria for inspections conducted within this framework?

Under what conditions is a food critic's review of a restaurant or eatery considered 'covert advertising' if they do not receive any payment or financial benefit?

Have any investigations been launched into similar content previously? If so, what is the total number, and against whom were these investigations conducted? What is the current status of these investigations?

Is the evaluation of positive reviews regarding public service institutions like City Restaurants as covert advertising not a practice that violates freedom of the press and expression?

Has any evidence of sponsorship or payment been found for the video Vedat Milor published on his personal YouTube account to be evaluated within the scope of covert advertising?

Are measures being taken in Turkey to protect the freedom of expression of social media content creators, critics, and members of the press?

Since the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality is a public institution, does the investigation of individuals who evaluate the social services provided by the State—whether positively or negatively—under the scope of 'commercial advertising' aim to create a mechanism of pressure on content creators?

What objective criteria does the Ministry of Trade use to determine whether content regarding public service institutions constitutes advertising? Is a regulation change or a new arrangement planned on this matter?

Considering the public debate, will the investigation launched against Vedat Milor be withdrawn or re-evaluated?''

News Source: 12punto