Media Outlets Facing Difficulties due to Coronavirus, Many May Shut Down, Says MP

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Many media outlets may shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic unless necessary measures are taken, according to a deputy by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

Advertisement revenues have significantly dropped since the outbreak has spread to Turkey and the measures taken by the Press Advertisement Institution (BİK) were not sufficient, MP Ömer Fethi Gürer said at a press briefing at the parliament.

Announcing a series of measures on Monday (March 23) to compensate for the losses of newspapers due to the pandemic, the BİK stated it would postpone debts of journalists and would not reduce the ads of newspapers due to drops in circulation.

The measures were not sufficient according to Güler, and local newspapers were the most affected media outlets from the pandemic. Many local television channels and newspapers have halted broadcasts and publishing, he added.

"Despite all these problems, our media outlets are working with heart and soul, trying to continue their activities under very difficult conditions so that the people can exercise their freedom of information. However, the economic conditions caused by the virus is about to make these outlets unable to perform their duties," he said.

"A large number of broadcasting/publishing outlets in the press sector, where the unemployment is already very high, have had to dismiss many employees," Gürer further stated.

Noting that there were not any measures in the economy package announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Gürer suggested that media outlets' periodic payments to state agencies should be postponed. (HA/VK)