Investigation launched into Halk TV: Cafer Mahiroğlu reacts to RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu shared the name of the expert appointed to the investigations conducted against him and CHP-affiliated municipalities with the public during a press conference he held yesterday (January 27).

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into İmamoğlu on the grounds that he targeted the expert. A similar investigation has also spread to the media.

In addition to the investigation opened against İmamoğlu, an investigation was also launched into Halk TV and journalist Barış Pehlivan on the allegation that they "recorded and shared without permission" a phone conversation they had with the aforementioned expert.

Making a statement regarding the investigation, RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin had said, "After the necessary examinations are carried out regarding Halk TV's practices that are contrary to the understanding of journalism, the report prepared by our experts will be discussed at the Supreme Council meeting and the necessary action will be taken. Respectfully announced to the public."

Halk TV owner Cafer Mahiroğlu reacted to RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin, who made a statement regarding the investigation launched into his channel.

Mahiroğlu said, "You have been penalizing Halk TV for years, and you know that your penalties have no basis in reality. We all know that you are applying sanctions not with your conscience, but with political motivation."

The message shared by Mahiroğlu on his social media account is as follows:

"We started today again with a message from RTÜK questioning Halk TV's journalism and clearly declaring that a penalty would be issued before the Board even met. You have been penalizing Halk TV for years, and you know that your penalties have no basis in reality. We all know that you are applying sanctions not with your conscience, but with political motivation. You know that Halk TV is wherever there is news: In the silent cry of our citizens left helpless in an earthquake, in the moment two siblings tried to hold onto life in a flood, in the voice of 301 miners left underground, in the eyes of children searching for their fathers' killers…

That is why Halk TV is constantly being tried to be silenced by being fined. Turn your eyes to the broadcasts that make us blush while watching and that erode the morality of the Turkish people a little more every day. Were your eyes closed and your consciences made of stone while my sect, my creed, my faith, and my tradition were being insulted and my personal information was being disclosed? Halk TV is not a channel that will determine its direction with the penalties you impose. It is on the side of the people and the truth, and it will continue to be so."

Bugüne yine RTÜK’ün Halk TV’nin haberciliğini sorgulayan, daha Kurul toplanmadan ceza verileceğini açıkça beyan eden mesajıyla başladık.

Yıllardır Halk TV’ye ceza veriyorsunuz ve biliyorsunuz ki; cezalarınızın hiçbir gerçekliği yok. Hepimiz, vicdanınızla değil, siyasi…

— Cafer Mahiroglu (@cafermahiroglu) January 28, 2025

News Source: 12punto