'RTÜK prevents the public's right to information'

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The Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) has denounced the penalties on TV broadcasters over the coverage of the recent wildfires.

With the penalties, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) disregarded the Constitution and violated people's right to information, it said in a written statement today (August 12). As a public agency, RTÜK should act impartially, said the association.

"As the government expressed its discontent with the reporting of the problems during the process of suppressing the forest fires, RTÜK once again undertook the duty of censorship," it said.

It noted that the RTÜK head sent private messages to media executives on August 3, asking them not to publish videos of the wildfires and fined six TV outlets yesterday.

"The RTÜK, which is expected to give its decisions with a modern and libertarian approach, makes the critical media pay a price with the monetary penalties and the decisions of broadcast suspension.

"We call on RTÜK to remember that it should be an impartial public agency ... and respect the Constitution and freedom of the press and expression." (HA/VK)