The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) in Turkey has announced that it is closely monitoring street interviews. These interviews, often broadcast under titles like “Voice of the Street” or “Public Opinion,” are allegedly contributing to misinformation and “social conflict,” according to a report by Turkish Minute on Thursday.
The RTÜK Chairman, Ebubekir Şahin, issued a written statement highlighting that the council is intensifying its scrutiny of such content, particularly on social media platforms. Şahin stated that street interviews are used to manipulate public perception, and they often violate general journalistic principles and ethics by showing selective opinions that align with the interviewer’s agenda.
Şahin argued that these interviews are presented in a seemingly innocent format but are used to promote certain political or economic narratives. He claimed that these interviews often present a distorted view of society, leading to misinformation and hindering an informed public discourse.
RTÜK’s move is seen by many as part of a broader strategy to control and restrict independent media and public discourse in Turkey. Critics argue that the targeting of street interviews is an attempt to stifle dissent and restrict the dissemination of views that challenge the government’s narrative.
This development comes amid increasing pressure on media and journalists in Turkey, where freedom of expression has been severely curtailed in recent years. The Turkish government is accused of taking the Turkish media under its almost absolute control following the failed military coup in 2016.
Journalists face significant risks, including losing their jobs, being subjected to judicial harassment, and getting jailed for the slightest criticism of the government.
Turkey, which has been suffering from a poor record of freedom of the press for years, currently ranks 158th among 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders on May 3 on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.
