Turkey's media authority fines TV outlets over election coverage

Click to read the article in Turkish

FOX TV and Halk TV have been penalized by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) due to comments made during their elections coverage.

FOX TV was fined for Çiğdem Toker's questioning of the country's adherence to the rule of law and the democratic process.

Halk TV incurred a penalty because of a statement made by Ümit Özdağ, the leader of the Zafer Partisi (Victory Party).

"I have politically no respect for the election outcome, and I won't have any. Because a wrong choice was made," the anti-refugee politician said on "Yeni Bir Sabah" (A New Morning).

Furthermore, TELE 1 faced fines from RTÜK due to accusations made by Merdan Yanardağ concerning ballot papers, raising doubts about the credibility of the election outcomes.

Flash Haber was penalized for remarks by Cemal Enginyurt about Sinan Oğan, who obtained 5.17% in the first round of the presidential elections and decided to back President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the runoff.

Condemnations

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), both condemned the imposition of fines on these outlets.

Ilhan Taşçı, CHP's RTÜK member, criticized the media authority for obstructing press freedom. "After the election, RTÜK quickly embarked on every obstruction against press freedom and the public's right to information," the council member said.

Erol Önderoğlu, Turkey's RSF representative, called the fines opportunistic and urged an end to polarizing language in politics and media. (HA/WM)