RTÜK fines 5 media outlets as part of 'IMM investigation'

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) held its Supreme Council meeting today. The meeting resulted in administrative sanctions against Halk TV, Szc TV, Tele1, Now TV, and Akıllı TV due to broadcast violations.

During the RTÜK Supreme Council meeting, a maximum-level fine was issued against Halk TV due to the use of profanity and slang by CHP Istanbul Deputy Cemal Enginyurt, who was a guest on the program titled 'Rota'. At the meeting, fines were also issued against the news bulletin 'Öncesi Sonrası' on Szc TV and the program '18 Dakika' on Tele1 for statements targeting the Islamic world and inciting sectarian conflict.

In a statement released by RTÜK, it was noted, "It was determined that certain broadcasting organizations committed broadcast violations under Law No. 6112 regarding the ongoing investigation and detention decisions by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, and it had been stated that these channels would face maximum-level penalties at the Supreme Council meeting.

Despite all these warnings, broadcasting organizations that continue to commit broadcast violations are being meticulously monitored. In this regard, at the Supreme Council meeting held today, maximum-level sanctions were applied to Now TV for the program 'Çalar Saat' with İlker Karagöz; to Halk TV for the programs 'Rota' with Kürşad Oğuz and 'Parantez' with Sorel Dağıstanlı; to Szc TV for the program 'Para Politika' with Özlem Gürses; and to Tele1 for the program 'Habere Doğru'. Examinations conducted by RTÜK experts indicated that the commentary and analysis in the programs in question exceeded the limits of freedom of expression, and that attempts were made to influence judicial authorities through statements aimed at undermining public trust in justice. Furthermore, it was stated that citizens were called to the streets, endangering national security, public order, and public safety.

For the programs in question, broadcast suspension and administrative fines were applied at the maximum level due to the violation of the provision in Article 8 of Law No. 6112 on the Establishment and Broadcast Services of Radio and Television, which states that 'broadcasts cannot be contrary to the principles of the rule of law, justice, and impartiality'," the statement said.

It was also stated that Akıllı TV was given a 10-day broadcast suspension for airing content in violation of the provisions stating that 'radio and television broadcast services cannot include chat, friendship, and matchmaking lines and services, or programs where people are introduced and/or brought together for the purpose of finding friends' and 'radio and television broadcast services cannot include the sale, marketing, and/or advertising of any product, including dietary supplements and similar supportive products, with health claims in violation of relevant legislation'.

News Source: 12punto