RTÜK imposes 'İmamoğlu' penalties on television channels

Penalties have been issued to SÖZCÜ TV, NOW TV, Halk TV, and Tele1 due to their coverage of the investigation process concerning CHP presidential candidate and detained Union of Municipalities of Türkiye and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

RTÜK PENALTIES

In today's Supreme Council meeting of RTÜK, a 10-day broadcast suspension—the most severe penalty before license revocation—was issued by majority vote regarding the broadcasts during the process leading up to the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Additionally, a 5 percent fine and a 5-program suspension were imposed on Halk TV and Tele 1. On the grounds that the limits of criticism were exceeded in the broadcasts, a 2 percent fine was issued to NOW TV, and a 3 percent fine was issued to SÖZCÜ TV, Halk TV, and Tele 1.

RTÜK Member İlhan Taşçı announced the penalties as follows:

Sözcü TV was issued a 10-day broadcast suspension on the grounds that it "incited the public to hatred and hostility" through commentary during live broadcasts from Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir. If the channel receives another penalty under the same article 8/1/b, its license will be revoked.

Following the notification, the screen of Sözcü TV will be blacked out 24/7 for 10 days. Only the text of the RTÜK decision will appear on the screen against a black background.

News Source: 12punto