Private TV Channels Take Flak from RTÜK

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) decided to issue a warning to the private Turkish television channel ATV Europe on the grounds of their news regarding the population ratio of one woman in six men in Mongolia, saying that "the Mongolian people asked for 20,000 men from Turkey". The Supreme Council moreover decided to request justifications from the private television channels Show TV, ATV, Star TV, Flash TV and Cine 5.

The mentioned television channels made news in their main news bulletins on 20 and 21 January about the issue that "20,000 men from Turkey were in demand".

Complaint from the Mongolian Students Union

As reported by Radikal newspaper, the Mongolian Students Union complained to RTÜK after the news items had been published.

The students' motion was based on data compiled by the United Nations (UN), stating that the ratio is not 1:6 but that the ratio of women to men in the Mongolian population amounts to 99.4 percent.  RTÜK initiated the warning by applying the article 4/1^st paragraph of Law no. 3984: "The publication of news shall be objective, true and accurate without obstructing the freedom of opinion".

Girl ran away from home

RTÜK requested a justification from the private television channel Kanal 7 related to the allegations of "not shaping all aspects of the program services in accordance with human dignity and basic human rights". Reason for RTÜK's intervention was a detailed portrait broadcasted by Kanal 7 about a girl who ran away from home and was exposed to rape.

Private television channel STV received a warning for its program depicting Dutch juveniles using drugs. Star TV was admonished by RTÜK for a movie entitled "Friday 13^th" broadcasted in the early morning hours on the grounds of showing "elements of violence and sexuality".

Visions of a psychic

RTÜK handed down another warning to T Türk TV for its program "6^th sense" about visions of a psychic on the allegations of "radio, television and data broadcasting being not in line with the public service's concept of the rule of law".

Ülke TV received a warning fine for broadcasting a repeat with the "live" logo.

RTÜK decided for a TL 150,000 (€ 71,500) monetary fine due to not concealing "images of cigarettes" to Moviemax for three different broadcasts. In the same context, Goldmax, Mymax, Kanal D, 24, CNBC-e, E2 and Yeşilçam TV received a TL 50,000 (€ 24,000) monetary fine each; Antep Mega TV and Kay TV were each fined with TL 1,000 (€ 475).

Warning due to "disloyalty"

Habertürk TV was admonished by RTÜK for the program "Hülyar Avşar asks" by reason of "proving injurious to juveniles' and children's physical, intellectual and moral development". The program discusses problems and disloyalty in marriages.

RTÜK member İlhan Yerilkaya requested to impose a punishment for the program broadcasted on 22 November and 6 December 2009 because of "general morality". Yerilkaya and lawyer Mehmet Dadak demanded punishment referring to law no. 3984 article 4/1. The Supreme Council rejected the demand by majority vote. (EÖ/VK)