Turkey’s media authority fines broadcasters Halk TV and TELE 1

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In a unanimous decision, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has imposed an administrative fine on Halk TV channel over the remarks of former Minister Fikri Sağlar, who is also a former MP from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), about veiled judges.

Releasing a statement about its Supreme Board meeting today (January 13), the media authority has referred to the following statement of Sağlar:

"Hijab (turban) is the uniform of reactionary activities and those who want sharia ... When I am put on trial and stand before a veiled judge, I doubt that she will protect my rights and serve justice."

Based on the above remarks uttered by Sağlar on a program hosted by Şirin Payzın, the RTÜK has concluded that these remarks undermine the society's trust in the mechanism of justice. It has further noted that these remarks degrade the beliefs and values of society and violate the law.

Accordingly, the media authority RTÜK has imposed an administrative fine on pro-opposition Halk TV channel.

TELE 1 fined over anchor's remarks

In its Supreme Board meeting, the RTÜK has also evaluated the remarks of Evren Özalkuş, the anchor of the TELE 1 Main News Bulletin, about the feminicide of academic Aylin Sözer last month.

In a majority of votes, the council has imposed an administrative fine on TELE 1 over the following remarks of Özalkuş accusing the Presidency of Religious Affairs in the context of Sözer's death:

"We will also soon broadcast a news report about how the Presidency of Religious Affairs meddles in our womanhood, our home, our family, whether we will have children or not, in our work life and what not. As long as it continues like this, such murders seem to continue as well." (HA/SD)