RTÜK fines TV outlets for broadcasting opposition leader’s video about Erdoğan
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The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has fined four TV outlets for broadcasting Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party Leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's speech on President Erdoğan.
RTÜK fined TELE 1, KRT, Halk TV, and Flash TV upon complaints by ENSAR Foundation and TÜRGEV.
On May 24, Kılıçdaroğlu claimed two foundations close to the government had donated over 1 billion lira (~60 million US dollars) to another foundation they jointly founded in the US.
Disguised under educational activities, the money transfers were actually for the Erdoğan family, who plans to flee the country after an "inevitable" defeat in the next year's elections, according to Kılıçdaroğlu.
Government officials and the relevant foundations denied the allegations and said the donations were legal.
RTÜK decided that airing Kılıçdaroğlu's allegations was a violation of law and imposed a fine on 4 outlets from the upper limit.
Fine on the anchor's reaction to farmers' news
Turkey's watchdog also imposed a fine on FOX TV due to a protest by anchor Selçuk Tepeli.
While presenting a news report about fields taken away from farmers by the government, Tepeli stormed off the set by saying:
" Move on to the next news, please, please brother, move on."
RTÜK decided that Tepeli violated the broadcasting principles and imposed an administrative fine on FOX TV at the upper limit as well.
TGS: "No to censorship board"
Turkey Journalists Syndicate has condemned RTÜK's decision on Twitter.
"It is an attack against people's right to be informed, no to censorship board " TGS stated.
The RTÜK has long been criticized by journalism groups for taking punitive measures against independent media outlets.(HA/TB)