RTÜK fines Bloomberg HT after criticism from Presidency communications head

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The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has fined Bloomberg HT because of remarks by journalist Fatih Altaylı during a TV program.

İlhan Taşçı, an RTÜK member from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), noted that the fine came after Altaylı was criticized by Presidency Communications Director Fahrettin Altun over a column article about the president.

A complaint filed by the Turkish Football Federation against Altaylı three months ago was put on the agenda in the council's latest meeting, said Taşçı. Bloomberg HT has been fined 3 percent of its ad revenue in the previous month, he added.

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In a video message he released on July 22 to mark Eid al-Adha, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was seen falling asleep momentarily.

Altaylı, a columnist for Habertürk, which belongs to the same media group as Bloomberg HT, wrote that releasing the video without removing that part was a notable mistake from Erdoğan's team.

Later in the day, Altaylı published another article, saying that he had been informed that the video message was initially broadcast live. It was eventually replaced with an edited video.

The Presidency's communications head targeted Altaylı and Habertürk after the articles, saying that "Habertürk never gives up defamation, disinformation and fake news."

"We condemn Habertürk because of this publication, which can be considered as an example of the 'terror of lies' as indicated by Mr. President, and expect an immediate apology," Altun said in a written statement.

In response to Altun, Habertürk said there was nothing that would require them to apologize as Altaylı had corrected his mistake in the first article. (KÖ/VK)