RTÜK President issues statement on Halk TV following Barış Pehlivan's report

Following an interview conducted by journalist Barış Pehlivan with expert S.B., who was exposed by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin has issued a statement. Şahin stated that "necessary action will be taken" regarding Halk TV.

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RTÜK President issues statement on Halk TV following Barış Pehlivan's report

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu held a press conference at Saraçhane titled "The Big Turnip" regarding the lawsuits and investigations opened against him. During the meeting, İmamoğlu exposed expert S.B., claiming that the individual was acting under instructions.

Immediately following the meeting, another investigation was launched against Ekrem İmamoğlu. Journalist Barış Pehlivan reached out to expert S.B. and conducted a telephone interview. The interview, in which Pehlivan questioned S.B. about the allegations made by Ekrem İmamoğlu, was broadcast on Halk TV.

This time, an investigation was launched against both Barış Pehlivan and Halk TV because the interview in question was broadcast.

RTÜK PRESIDENT: 'NECESSARY ACTION WILL BE TAKEN'

RTÜK (Radio and Television Supreme Council) President Ebubekir Şahin issued a statement regarding the investigation launched into Halk TV.

In a statement posted on his social media account, Şahin wrote:

"The citizens who lost their lives in the fire that occurred in Bolu Kartalkaya are a shared pain for Turkey. In this process, our expectation as RTÜK is that those responsible receive the necessary punishment as soon as possible. In this sense, the meticulous work carried out by law enforcement, judicial units, and relevant public institutions and organizations is being followed by the entire country. Given this, illegal and unethical broadcasting carried out in the name of journalism on such a sensitive issue can never be accepted. In particular, it is impossible for us to accept news presentations by media members, whose duty is to present news impartially and inform the public accurately, that occasionally border on delusion and are conducted as if they were representatives of a political party.

We are closely monitoring news, commentary, and discussion programs that use incorrect information and documents to interfere with an ongoing judicial process that the entire country is following closely. Let the public have no doubt that the necessary sanctions will be applied regarding the violations identified in relation to the process.

Furthermore, an investigation has been initiated by our Supreme Council regarding Halk TV's 'unauthorized recording and broadcasting of a telephone conversation with an expert, and broadcasts aimed at influencing the course of the trial by targeting the expert's name,' which is also the subject of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office investigation. After the necessary examinations regarding Halk TV's practices that are contrary to the understanding of journalism are completed, 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."

News Source: 12punto