Press Council Urges For Equal Opportunity in Elections

Claiming that Turkey’s state television TRT remained partial in presidential elections, Press Council (Basın Konseyi) urged Higher Election Board (YSK) to provide conditions for equal representation. 

The council submitted a statement, claiming that TRT covered the news regarding the presidential election “single-sided and seeming-to-take-a-side” and didn’t approach all candidates “equally and fairly”. They also referred to a report drafted by RTÜK members. 

According to the report, TRT Türk Channel covered Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for 30 minutes while it didn’t cover other candidates at all on July 3. 

On the other hand, TRT Türk covered Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for 50 minutes and Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu for 1 minute; whereas it didn’t leave any minutes for Selahattin Demirtaş. 

Equal opportunity

The application also reminded that YSK’s ruling during the local elections in March to avoid “single-sided and seeming-to-take-a-side” broadcasting and to provide “equal opportunities” for all candidates.  

It also made references to Law No 6271 on Presidential Elections where it is compulsory for TRT to remain impartial to candidates during the propaganda period. (YY/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.