The appointment of a trustee to Halk TV by the TMSF and the widely discussed fund investigation were brought to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) General Assembly. While opposition groups argued that the trustee decision is a new interference with press freedom, they also alleged that attempts are being made to cover up the claims in the fund investigation.
Group deputy chairs made evaluations before moving to the agenda in the General Assembly, which convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker of Parliament Yusuf Beyazıt.
Yeni Yol Group Deputy Chair Bülent Kaya described the appointment of a trustee to Halk TV as a step against "press freedom." Recalling the previous appointment of trustees to a corporate group that included Show TV and Habertürk, Kaya stated that the contradiction between returning some companies and keeping media organizations under TMSF management must be explained.
İYİ Party Group Deputy Chair Turhan Çömez brought up allegations regarding former minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya within the scope of the fund investigation. Stating that the source and tax dimension of the income Kaya allegedly obtained must be explained, Çömez asked, "Where did Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya earn this money from?"
OPPOSITION EMPHASIZES PRESS FREEDOM
CHP Group Deputy Chair Serkan Sarı argued that the decision regarding Halk TV amounts to "pressure on a media organization." Stating that allegations such as bribery, bid-rigging, and money laundering have been raised within the scope of the investigation conducted against the channel's owner, Cafer Mahiroğlu, Sarı said that if there is a criminal charge, the requirements of the law should be fulfilled, but media workers should not be victimized.
Emphasizing that the job security of Halk TV employees must be protected and the channel should continue its broadcasting life, Sarı stated, "Journalists should be able to perform their profession freely, and our citizens' right to receive information should not be interrupted."
DEM Party Group Deputy Chair Sezai Temelli also claimed that the fund crisis had been signaling for a long time. Arguing that there were findings within the Capital Markets Board, Temelli said that the failure to intervene for 9 months must be explained. Criticizing the operation against Halk TV, Temelli said, "You cannot silence journalists in this country."
Yeni Party Group Deputy Chair Murat Emir stated that Halk TV was seized by the TMSF and argued that the decision affects not only the channel's employees but also the public's right to receive information. Alleging that some individuals are being protected through high-amount losses and gains in the fund investigation, Emir demanded that the lists be disclosed.
AKP Group Deputy Chair Muhammed Emin Akbaşoğlu, while responding to the opposition's criticisms, described the government's work and services in the earthquake zone. In his evaluation regarding the fund crisis, Akbaşoğlu said that with the legislative proposal submitted to Parliament, "the rightful will be separated from the wrongful, the guilty from the innocent, and investors from speculators and manipulators."
Stating that those who violate the rights of the nation, regardless of their political views, will be held accountable, Akbaşoğlu argued that those responsible will be revealed at the end of the process.
News Source: 12punto
