RTÜK imposes 5-day broadcast suspension on TELE1 on 'Press Day'

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has decided to impose a 5-day broadcast suspension on the channel TELE1. The reason for the sanction was announced as the assessments made by Merdan Yanardağ regarding the July 15 coup attempt during his program "4 Soru 4 Yanıt" (4 Questions 4 Answers).

Announcing the decision to the public, CHP's RTÜK member İlhan Taşcı stated that RTÜK evaluated Yanardağ's remarks, "July 15 was an Islamist coup attempt. The AKP government is primarily responsible for this coup," under the charge of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility." Taşcı noted that TELE1 was given a 5-day broadcast suspension and an additional 5 percent administrative fine in this context.

Taşcı's post continued as follows:

"On Press Day, a 5-day broadcast suspension from RTÜK to TELE 1!

On the anniversary of the abolition of censorship, RTÜK has once again punished television channels for their critical broadcasts.

What they want is for the truth not to be spoken; their goal is to silence the press and plunge screens into darkness.

RTÜK, which has turned into the biggest obstacle to press freedom, has imposed a 5-day broadcast suspension and a 5 percent administrative fine on TELE 1, alleging 'incitement of society to hatred and hostility' due to Merdan Yanardağ's assessments in the '4 Soru 4 Yanıt' program that 'July 15 was an Islamist coup attempt. The AKP government is primarily responsible for this coup.' If the channel receives another penalty for the same article within one year, the cancellation of TELE 1's license will be on the agenda."

On Press Day, a 5-day broadcast suspension from RTÜK to TELE 1!

On the anniversary of the abolition of censorship, RTÜK has once again punished television channels for their critical broadcasts.

What they want is for the truth not to be spoken; their goal is to silence the press and plunge screens into darkness.…

— İlhan Taşcı (@ilhantasci) July 24, 2025

News Source: 12punto