Administrative fine, broadcast suspension to four TV channels

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The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has fined Haber Global news channel, Meltem TV, TELE 1 and Fox TV.

The RTÜK Supreme Board has suspended the broadcast of Haber Global's "Kayıt Altında" (In Record) program and given a fine to the channel over the remarks of guest Erol Mütercimler about the graduates of Islamic vocational high schools that are commonly known as "imam hatips" in Turkey. Debating with another guest, he said, "But look at the result. Look at how we see the ones who graduated from imam hatips... Scammers, perverts, immorals..."

The Board has noted that Saynur Tezel, the host of the program, did not intervene after hearing these remarks and concluded that the incident violated the article of "Broadcasting services shall not incite the public to grudge and enmity of spark feelings of hate in society by discrimination based on race, language, religion, gender, class, region and sect."

Accordingly, the RTÜK has suspended Tezel's program for three times and given a fine to the channel at the upper limit.

Meltem TV and TELE 1 fined as well

The Supreme Board of the RTÜK also discussed the expert report prepared on the "Akıl Oyunu" (Mind Game) program of Meltem TV. The Board has suspended the program for three times and given an administrative fine over the remarks of Erol Mütercimler, one of the two presenters of the program, about a child abuse incident in Sakarya.

RTÜK has also fined TELE 1 channel over some remarks of Mine Kırıkkanat, who was a guest at the "Forum Haftasonu" (Forum Weekend) program.

Fox fined for using slang

Discussing the remarks of Selçuk Tepeli while presenting a news on highway and bridge fees in the main news bulletin, the RTÜK Supreme Board has also imposed an administrative fine on Fox TV channel by referring to the principle prohibiting "rude, vulgar and slang language use." (HA/SD)