The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has imposed heavy penalties on television channels that broadcast coverage related to the detention and arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, including a 10-day full broadcast suspension for Sözcü TV and program bans and fines for Halk TV, Tele 1, and Now TV.
Sözcü TV Faces Full Blackout
RTÜK imposed a 10-day blackout on Sözcü TV, accusing the station of “inciting public hatred and hostility” through live broadcasts from Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. During this period, the channel’s screen will remain entirely dark, displaying only RTÜK’s official decision on a black background.
The ruling comes with a warning: if Sözcü TV receives another penalty under the same article, its broadcast license will be revoked.
Additionally, the channel received a 3% administrative fine over remarks made by CHP Deputy Group Chair Ali Mahir Başarır, who criticized far-right MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli.
Fines and Bans for Halk TV and Tele 1
Halk TV was fined 5% of its revenue and hit with five program suspensions for airing opposition leader Özgür Özel’s speech at a rally in Istanbul’s Saraçhane district. RTÜK claimed that the content, which included criticism of Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akın Gürlek and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, amounted to a call for boycott and incitement.
The channel was also fined an additional 3% for Başarır’s statement: “We will resist together against these coup plotters holding the scales of justice.”
Tele 1 received similar penalties — a 5% fine and five program suspensions — for broadcasting the same rally. It also received a 3% fine for critical commentary targeting the RTÜK president on a separate program.
Now TV was fined 2% over comments in its Orta Sayfa program suggesting that legal proceedings against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu were “unlawful and politically driven.”
Crackdown on Online Media: Flu TV and Fatih Altaylı Under Pressure
RTÜK has also targeted online media platforms. It announced that journalist Fatih Altaylı’s YouTube channel and Flu TV, co-founded by recently arrested filmmaker İlker Canikligil, must apply for broadcasting licenses within 72 hours. If they fail to comply, both platforms will face access bans.
Press Freedom Groups Speak Out
The Contemporary Journalists Association (ÇGD) condemned RTÜK’s actions, accusing the regulator of acting on behalf of the government to silence dissenting voices.
“RTÜK’s penalties are not aimed at regulating broadcasting, but at suppressing journalism,” the association said in a statement.
“Our message to RTÜK: If these punishments aren’t enough, just hand over all channels to Chairman Ebubekir Şahin.”
Turkey ranks near the bottom of global press freedom indices. Dozens of journalists are imprisoned, and most major media outlets are either owned by pro-government business groups or operate under tight editorial constraints. Independent broadcasters like Sözcü TV, Halk TV, and Tele 1 have become rare platforms for opposition voices — and frequent targets of state action.
