Cafer Mahiroğlu, the former Chairman of the Board of Halk TV, posed 10 questions to the board of trustees appointed to the channel via his social media account. Mahiroğlu requested public disclosure on a series of topics ranging from financial relations with municipalities and inter-company cash flow to the MASAK report and the channel's bank accounts.
Emphasizing Halk TV's editorial line in his statement, Mahiroğlu said, "Halk TV is the people's channel; its owner is the people. We have practiced journalism by drawing our strength from the people until today. We have paid a heavy price, but we have never knelt down."
Arguing that the issue is not personal, Mahiroğlu stated, "The issue is not Cafer Mahiroğlu; it is an operation conducted against the owner of a media outlet that could not be made to kneel." The former executive called on journalists and media circles to ensure "the public is informed accurately."
QUESTIONS POSED TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The topics on which Mahiroğlu requested answers from the board of trustees are summarized as follows:
- 1. The total amount of invoices Halk TV has issued to municipalities in the last two years.
- 2. Monthly invoice totals and annual turnover figures for the same period.
- 3. Which companies the invoices were issued to and in what amounts.
- 4. Whether invoices were issued between Cafer Mahiroğlu's personal companies and Halk TV; if so, for what services and in what amounts.
- 5. Halk TV's monthly expenses, the ratio of income obtained from municipalities to these expenses, and whether there is any financial data supporting the claim that "Halk TV survived thanks to municipalities."
- 6. The total capital Mahiroğlu has invested in Halk TV.
- 7. The amount and purpose of money transfers made between Mahiroğlu's personal accounts and the companies.
- 8. The total financial support provided from other companies for Halk TV to remain operational.
- 9. Whether there was any cash flow from a company named Bustech to Halk TV; if so, the date, amount, and purpose information, and whether the MASAK report on this matter will be disclosed to the public.
- 10. The cash amount in Halk TV's bank accounts and the total amount awaiting collection in the receivables list.
On October 14, a police search was conducted at the Halk TV building as part of an investigation into allegations of "bribery," "rigging of tenders," and "laundering of assets derived from crime" involving Mahiroğlu.
Within the scope of the investigation, it was reported that the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) had been appointed as a trustee to Halk TV and companies linked to Mahiroğlu. The blocking of access to Halk TV's social media accounts also sparked debates regarding interference with broadcasting activities and freedom of the press.
It was stated that some suspects, including Cafer Mahiroğlu, were abroad as part of the investigation.
News Source: 12punto
