Radyo Dunya Can get Disbanded

DGM asked the Industry and Commerce Ministry to disband a company that owns Radyo Dunya. The radio is being sued for disseminating propaganda in favor of PKK. DGM also asked Turkeys television and radio watchdog to take action against the station.

Erol Önderoğlu

The Adana State Security Court (DGM) wrote to the Industry and Commerce Ministry demanding that the company, which owns "Radyo Dunya" (Radio World), is disbanded. Radyo Dunya has been sued for broadcasting a message from the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Lawyer Dilek Bal said the court also asked the Radio and Television Higher Board (RTUK) to take action against the station, saying it violated broadcasting principles.

Reason: Propaganda trial

The radio's broadcasting head Fatih Demir and announcer Yeter Cemile Gundogdu had been sued at the Adana DGM on the basis of article 7/2 of Turkey's anti-terrorism law. The trial will begin on July 27.

Announcer Gundogdu was detained on May 25 because, during her program on May 3, she broadcasted a statement by Ocalan who is being kept at the Imrali Prison. Ocalan made the statement through his lawyers. Gundogdu was released after being questioned at the DGM prosecutor's office.

Gundogdu had read and commented on an article titled, "A War Could Break Out, Even I Could not Prevent That," published in the "Free Agenda in the Country," newspaper.

Demir and Gundogdu face up to five years in prison and could be handed a fine of 1 billion Turkish lira (USD 800) if found guilty. (EO/BB/EA/YE)

Origin

BÄ°A News Center

Erol Önderoğlu

[email protected]

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A graduate of the French Language and Literature Department at İstanbul University. He has served as the Turkey representative for the international organization Reporters Without...

A graduate of the French Language and Literature Department at İstanbul University. He has served as the Turkey representative for the international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), where he began as a reporter in 1996. Since 1999, he has worked at bianet, a project of the IPS Communication Foundation, as the coordinator of the Legal Support Desk, editor for freedom of expression, and editor-in-chief. He has authored more than 4,800 signed news articles and opinion pieces. He has also written for Bizim Gazete and the journal Güncel Hukuk. He currently prepares the Media Monitoring Reports at bianet.