CHP files criminal complaint against public broadcaster over 'biased' coverage

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has filed a criminal complaint against high-level officials of Turkey's public broadcaster for not airing their election advert and ignoring multiple requests from the party on the matter.

The party accused TRT of biased broadcasting leading up to the May elections. "We find TRT's unlawful attitude ironic as they are supposed to be impartial. Moreover, this attitude is causing financial losses for the institution," stated the CHP's latest application to the TRT general directorate.

After receiving no response from TRT, the CHP filed a criminal complaint against the institution. Tuncay Özkan, a senior advisor to the CHP leader responsible for media, stated at a press conference that the complaint also includes TRT's alleged biased broadcast.

According to Tuncay, TRT broadcasts the entire parliamentary group speeches of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli, but limits the coverage of CHP group meetings to only 10 minutes.

The CHP has demanded a criminal case against all high-level TRT officials in their complaint.

Turkey will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, leader of the CHP and the joint candidate of six parties, is the main rival of President Erdoğan. 

In the advertisement aired on other channels and social media, Kılıçdaroğlu recites his campaign slogan "I promise spring will come. Bay Kemal will not break his word."

(VK)