Crisis deepens in the Turkish press: Trustees, layoffs, and shuttered outlets follow one another

Recent developments in the Turkish media have laid bare the extent of the economic and structural crisis the sector is currently facing. A large number of media organizations have either been placed under the management of trustees or have ceased broadcasting.

The situation on the television front is becoming increasingly dire. Following the operation conducted against Can Holding, trustees were appointed to Habertürk, Show TV, and Bloomberg HT. Due to economic difficulties, Ekol TV laid off 300 employees. While Ekotürk was seized, KRT television decided to stop its broadcasts entirely. 

TV100 parted ways with İsmail Küçükkaya, who had worked in opposition media for many years and with whom they had recently reached an agreement, while Meltem TV ended its daytime broadcasts.

The situation is no different for print and digital media organizations. Ekonomim Gazetesi closed its office, and it is alleged that 35 percent of employees at Hürriyet, part of the pro-government Demirören Media, will be laid off…

Cumhuriyet Gazetesi, one of Turkey's long-standing publications, has requested financial support from its readers due to financial difficulties.

These developments indicate that the Turkish media is entering its most severe bottleneck in recent years. The successive decisions regarding trustees, the closure of outlets, and downsizing measures show that uncertainty in the press sector is deepening.

News Source: 12punto