TV Channel Fined For “Degrading” Atatürk

Turkey’s Higher Board of Radio and Television (RTÜK) anonymous agreed to fine Kanal A television network for degrading Atatürk during a program called “From Official History to Real History”. The aforementioned program enraged Republican People’s Party (CHP) officials, causing them to leave a black garland outside the television premisses. 

The 12,000 lira [around 4,000 euros] fine was imposed upon the word “godless” during a program aired on September 22. 

Anonymous vote for “degrading” broadcasting 

“The broadcasting can’t be against the principle of human dignity and personal privacy, or include expressions degrading, insulting, accusing persons or institutions beyond the limits of criticism,” the ruling cited.

CHP previously protested the delayed decision of RTÜK, causing Ali Öztunç, a CHP member from RTÜK, to be attacked by another RTÜK who said “Öztunç wasn’t backing up religion as much as he did for Atatürk”. (EÖ/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.