CHP Chairman Özgür Özel criticized some media organizations, such as NTV, for not broadcasting the rally held in Maltepe, which was attended by 2.2 million people, and called for a boycott against these organizations. Özel's call has resonated widely in the media world.
RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin responded to Özel's statements in harsh language. Şahin said, 'Such boycott calls, which contradict rhetoric about a free press, harm press freedom.' Criticizing interference in the broadcast schedules of television channels, Şahin stated, 'Targeting our domestic and national media organizations is also targeting the thousands of employees working there.'
On the other hand, it emerged that in 2008, then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had made a similar boycott call against the Doğan Group. Addressing members of his party, Erdoğan said, 'Start your campaign against this media that reports lies and misinformation; do not buy these newspapers.'
Erdoğan, stating that the media had lost its credibility, added, 'Are you campaigning against us? We are also exercising our most natural right.'
News Source: 12punto
