CHP Calls for Boycott on CNN Türk over Pro-Government Broadcasting

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Republican People's Party (CHP) has decided to boycott CNN Türk and called on people not to watch the channel.

None of the party's members or executives will participate in programs on CNN Türk, CHP Deputy Chair Tuncay Özkan announced at a press conference.

Doğan Media Group, which launched CNN Türk in 1999, was sold to the pro-government Demirören Group in 2018. 

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Accusing CNN Türk of "broadcasting in line with the interests of the government" and "working like an advertising agency in line with the government's discourse," Özkan said the CHP's Central Executive Committee decided at a meeting on February 3 to boycott the broadcaster.

"For protection against the damage of this channel, we advise our citizens not to watch CNN Türk broadcasts and make their children not watch it," Özkan said.

After reports circulated that the CHP would boycott CNN Türk, the executives from the Demirören Media Group visited the party's headquarters in the capital Ankara yesterday (February 6), daily BirGün reported.

CNN Türk General Manager Murat Yancı, CNN Türk Ankara Representative Dicle Canova and Hürriyet newspaper's Ankara Representative Hande Fırat held a meeting with Tuncay Özkan and CHP Communications Coordinator Okan Konuralp, the report said.

The Demirören Media Group bought Doğan Media Group, the largest media conglomerate of Turkey at the time, on March 22, 2018. Many employees have been fired from the group since the sale. (EKN/VK)