Presidency: Ads of Evrensel, BirGün Cut due to 'Violating Ethical Principles'

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The Press Advertisement Institution (BİK) has recently cut the ads of several newspapers for "violating the Ethical Principles of the Press."

While the most recent fine was imposed on Evrensel, the BİK previously fined Cumhuriyet and BirGün in December.

The BİK is a governmental agency that places advertisements of public institutions in newspapers. Most newspapers in the country are thought to be dependent on the BİK ads to continue publishing.

The advertisement authority fined Evrensel over a news article titled "Press Advertisement Institution has sounded the death knell for publishing in Kurdish," which was originally reported by the Mezopotamya News Agency.

CLICK - Press Advertisement Institution Cuts Ads of Daily Evrensel for 10 Days

Cumhuriyet was fined over a column article that opposed Turkey's military operations in Syria and BirGün was fined over a report on a police attack on the Saturday Mothers/People.

MP Ali Kenanoğlu from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) had submitted a parliamentary question, asking whether there is a relation between the fines and editorial policies of Evrensel and BirGün.

In response to the question, Vice-President Fuat Oktay stated, "The Press Advertisement Institution evaluates and gives a verdict on notices and complaints about newspapers and magazines that do not comply with the ethical principles of the press."

Oktay said the BİK places ads in newspapers according to procedures and principles in the regulations, regardless of their views and thoughts.

"Newspapers can regain their right to publish official ads if they meet the criteria specified in the regulations," he added. (AS/VK)