RTÜK imposes administrative fines on several television channels: ATV on the list for the first time

In its most recent Supreme Council meeting, RTÜK imposed administrative fines on a large number of national television channels. The channels receiving fines include Sözcü TV, Halk TV, ATV, Show TV, Star TV, NOW TV, and Kanal D.

According to information shared by RTÜK member İlhan Taşçı, the content of the sanctions imposed on Sözcü TV and ATV, in particular, has sparked public debate.

Due to an interview with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel broadcast on Sözcü TV, the channel was issued a 1 percent administrative fine. In his statement, Taşçı said, "While legal avenues such as statements, corrections, or rebuttals could have been used by the Minister of Justice in response to the claims made by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, it is noteworthy that RTÜK has taken a side and positioned itself in a dispute between politicians."

On the other hand, it was reported that for the first time, a report concerning ATV—which has not faced any sanctions to date despite having programs that have received the most complaints for many years—was addressed by the Supreme Council. Taşçı stated that a 1 percent fine was imposed on ATV due to the presence of content in the program "Esra Erol'da" that could harm the physical, mental, or moral development of children.

At the same meeting, a 1 percent administrative fine was also imposed on Halk TV for the program "Para Siyaset," where İbrahim Kahveci and İsmail Saymaz discussed potential elections, on the grounds of violating the principle of "truth and accuracy" due to the statement, "There is concern that elections may not take place in Turkey."

Daytime programs also fell under RTÜK's radar. A 1 percent administrative fine was issued to the programs "Didem Arslan Yılmaz’la Vazgeçme" on Show TV and "Nur Viral ile Sen İstersen" on Star TV. These sanctions were passed unanimously.

A 1 percent fine was also given to the program "Halef: Köklerin Çağrısı" broadcast on NOW TV for containing violence, and to the series "Daha 17" on Kanal D, which was determined to negatively affect the development of children and youth.

RTÜK member Taşçı, in a post on his social media account, pointed out that the fine given specifically for the interview with the main opposition leader is remarkable and stated the following:

"Fine for the CHP Chairman Özel interview! RTÜK has acted as Akın Gürlek's lawyer!

At today's Supreme Council meeting, RTÜK imposed a 1 percent administrative fine on SZC TV by majority vote, claiming that the remarks made by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, who gave an interview to the channel, regarding Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek—'There is a crypto phone between you, he is talking to Erdoğan via a crypto phone. Think about it, he is providing information about the entire judicial process via a crypto phone. If Mr. Erdoğan hasn't heard this, I am reporting it. He gave many statements, half true and half false, via a crypto phone with Erdoğan, that he received instructions from his own mouth, for example 'Sir, shall we do this?'; he said 'of course, of course', and that he recorded these, 'they can't do anything to me tomorrow, I am recording Erdoğan's voice.' Clear. I am saying this so clearly. If they say these don't exist, let them come out and say they don't exist'—'prevented the free formation of opinion in society'."

This decision by the Council has also brought about debates regarding whether it is a first in the institution's history for RTÜK to take a position in favor of the Minister of Justice by punishing the statements of the main opposition leader.

The latest fines from RTÜK have caused repercussions in the media and political world, sparking new debates over the impartiality of the council.

News Source: 12punto