Turkey’s opposition broadcasters being unplugged

Turkish Media Unions Condemn 10-Day Broadcast Ban on Sözcü TV as Blow to Press Freedom

Journalist unions and press associations across Turkey have condemned the Radio and Television Supreme Council’s (RTÜK) 10-day broadcast suspension of Sözcü TV, calling the decision “unacceptable” and a violation of the public’s right to access information. The penalty stems from the channel’s coverage of protests following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.

RTÜK Accuses Sözcü TV of Inciting Hatred

RTÜK imposed the suspension, accusing Sözcü TV of “inciting hatred and hostility” by airing live footage of protests organized in response to İmamoğlu’s detention. Although an administrative court in Ankara initially halted the implementation, a higher court later overturned the ruling, making the blackout order final. The suspension will begin at midnight.

RTÜK also issued a maximum-level administrative fine against Sözcü TV for remarks made during its “Para Politika” program, citing similar allegations of incitement.

Journalists’ Associations Denounce the Ruling

Leaders from major journalist unions and associations — including the Turkish Journalists’ Union (TGS), DİSK Press Union, the Contemporary Journalists Association (ÇGD), and the Diplomacy and Economy Reporters’ Associations — gathered at Sözcü TV’s Ankara bureau to protest the ban.

ÇGD President Kıvanç El stated:

“This is one of the darkest days in Turkish media history. Shutting down a channel for 10 days is a direct assault on the public’s right to receive news.”

He criticized the court’s reversal and said the decision affects not only Sözcü TV’s viewers but also democratic rights across society. El called for continued solidarity and public resistance against such censorship.

Parallel Ruling on Halk TV Suspended

The 10-day blackout penalty had also been issued against Halk TV, known for its critical stance toward the government. However, an Ankara administrative court accepted the channel’s appeal, issuing a stay of execution.

RTÜK had cited academic Tolga Yarman’s statement during a talk show — “Turkey is not becoming more religious, but more sectarian” — as grounds for the penalty. The court demanded RTÜK provide detailed legal justifications and relevant broadcast records within 30 days.

While Halk TV remains on-air for now, RTÜK has a 7-day window to appeal the stay. If it succeeds, Halk TV could also face a forced blackout, similar to Sözcü TV.

Blackout on Two Opposition Channels: A First in Turkey

This marks the first time two opposition-aligned television channels have simultaneously received identical broadcast bans. Media watchdogs and legal experts see this as a major escalation in government efforts to silence independent journalism.

Media academic Orhan Şener Deliormanlı told Cumhuriyet:

“The ruling party is stepping up its efforts to control public perception, having realized it cannot win at the ballot box. Pressure intensifies when the media resists compliance.”

CHP MP and legal expert Gökçe Gökçen called the synchronized penalties “no coincidence,” warning of systematic attempts to suppress critical media voices.

Sanctions Follow Broader Political Crackdown

The broadcast penalties coincide with increasing political repression in Turkey. Mass demonstrations have continued across the country since March 19 following İmamoğlu’s arrest, with protestors demanding democratic reforms.

In early July, a motion to lift the parliamentary immunity of CHP leader Özgür Özel was submitted to the National Assembly — seen by observers as part of a broader crackdown on dissent.

Özel criticized the coordinated timing of the RTÜK sanctions:

“This was not accidental. It was a premeditated attack on independent media. But the people will stand with the truth and with the journalists who report it.”

EU and International Outrage

Nacho Sánchez Amor, the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Turkey, condemned the RTÜK sanctions, stating:

“Not even George Orwell could have imagined something like RTÜK.”

International press freedom groups echoed his sentiment, highlighting how RTÜK has strayed from impartial regulatory standards and evolved into a political enforcement tool.

A Pattern of Censorship and Disproportionate Sanctions

RTÜK’s 2023 Activity Report shows 625 total penalties imposed on broadcasters, totaling 81.9 million TL in fines, with opposition channels like Halk TV, Tele 1, and Now TV topping the list. In contrast, pro-government outlets faced almost no penalties.

According to the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), from January 2023 to June 2024, RTÜK issued 124 million TL in fines and 1,357 broadcast bans, primarily targeting dissenting voices.

One notable case was Tele 1, which received a 7-day suspension after anchor Merdan Yanardağ made politically sensitive remarks. RTÜK again cited “incitement to hatred” — a clause critics argue is used selectively.