‘The blackout of TELE 1 reveals the state of freedom of expression in Turkey’

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Fined over criticisms about Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), broadcaster TELE 1 has been blacked out for five days starting from September 3.

The Press Council of Turkey has slammed this decision in a written statement. Underlining that the blackout is a violation of freedom of communication, the Press Council has noted, "The blacked out screen is a picture of shame showing the latest state of people's right to information and freedom of expression and press in the country."

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The Press Council has made the following statement:

"With its unprecedented decision, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has blacked out TELE 1 Television for five days.

"Relying on the majority of votes of representatives from the ruling party, watching for opportunities to silence non-pro-government television channels, the RTÜK Supreme Board decided to suspend the broadcasts of TELE 1 and Halk TV channels for five days and the Administrative Court gave a ruling of stay of execution upon the application of the Press Council and the application of these channels.

"As the stay of execution was annulled upon its objection, the RTÜK swiftly blacked out TELE 1 screens for five days at midnight. The blacked out screen is a picture of shame showing the latest state of people's right to information and freedom of expression and press in the country.

"The annulment of the stay of execution upon an objection is also a new blow dealt by the judiciary to freedom of communication.

"TELE 1 channel has not been able to express none of its claims verbally and before the court so far. This situation itself proves that the channel has been closed without the procedural guarantees of freedom of expression and with a violation of freedom of communication.

"Apart from this, though no such authority is granted as per the Law no. 6112, it was said that a 'notification' was made on the phone and Twitter and the blackout was notified by the same means. It also shows that the administration acts arbitrarily and all guarantees of the principle of rule of law preventing arbitrariness are eliminated when dissidents are concerned.

"We, as the Press Council, believe that everyone who believes in people's right to get information and freedom of expression, must stand up against this treatment of TELE 1 Television and say 'Stop' to this."

What happened?

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) imposed a five-day broadcast suspension ban on TELE1 channel starting from September 3.

The Council announced that it would enforce the penalty after a court verdict of stay of execution was overturned by the higher court.

The penalty was imposed because of TELE1 editor-in-chief Merdan Yanardağ's remarks on Ottoman Empire's Sultan Abdülhamid II, TELE 1 said. RTÜK Chair Ebubekir Şahin previously stated that the broadcaster was under investigation over Yanardağ's remarks on Abdülhamid II.

Yanardağ had described the sultan as "a despot who was a despicable dictator serving imperialism, drowned Mithat Pasha in Taif, oppressed all intellectuals who advocated the Ottoman-Turkish enlightenment and modernization, such as Namık Kemal, Tevfik Fikret..."

This was the first time that the RTÜK imposed a blackout penalty against a national broadcaster as part of the current legislation. (HA/SD)