Demirtaş Files Complaint Against TRT

Selahattin Demirtaş, presidential candidate of People's Democracy Party (HDP), filed a complaint against TRT for its partial broadcasting, requesting a prosecution of involved officials and 100 liras for non-pecuniary damages. 

Demirtaş submitted his complaint to Ankara Prosecutor’s Office. He wrote the following:

“Supreme Election Committee (YSK) stated Article 2922 (dated June 8, 2014) the rules and limitations of Turkish State Television TRT or private channels' and radios about presidential elections between June 29 and end of elections: 

- Media outlets cannot broadcast partial news. They have to broadcast within democratic rules and they should offer equal opportunities for all candidates.

- They have to be impartial for all political parties and democratic groups.

- They cannot safeguard  interests of a political party or group.

Reminding these articles, Demirtaş stated that TRT didn't obey the essentials of the Constitution and YSK’s regulations.  

Titles of candidates not important

"Democratic conditions are necessary to elections. It means that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ekmeleddin Mehmet İhsanoğlu ve Selahattin Demirtaş's titles or jobs are not important and should be without importance" he said.  

“TRT Haber, TRT Türk, TRT Avaz, TRT 6 and TRT 1 channels violated constitutional principles such as “right to elect and be elected” and "principles of democratic constitutional state,” he emphasized.   

100 liras as non-pecuniary damages

Demirtaş also requested 100 liras as non-pecuniary damages in addition to his request for the prosecution of involved TRT officials. (EA/GOA/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.