Batikan Erkoç
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), established in 1994, has come into the spotlight again by revoking the license of Açık Radyo. In the first half of 2024, RTÜK imposed over 36 million liras in fines and ordered 68 days of screen blackouts.
As in previous years, the majority of fines were imposed on criticisms of the government. The channel that received the most fines this period was once again FOX TV. No penalties were imposed on channels owned by Demirören and Turkuvaz media groups.
In 2024, RTÜK introduced additional taxes for platforms and mandated that news bulletins include visual indicators. In a statement made in February, RTÜK also announced ongoing discussions to monitor social media.
Biggest fine for 'lobster' news on FOX TV
The largest fine was given to FOX TV for a news segment titled "Lobster in AK Party Group" broadcast on April 17. The report covered an incident where AK Party MP Şebnem Bursalı posted a social media picture of herself eating lobster on a yacht in Monaco during the holiday. The segment, which highlighted the internal reactions within the AK Party Group, resulted in an administrative fine of over 8 million liras.
This fine was followed by another 6 million lira penalty for the FOX TV news report "Caught in the Act of Patronage," which implicated a Deputy Minister of Justice in nepotism. Another 6 million lira fine was imposed for a news report involving Presidential Legal Advisor Mehmet Uçum in a heritage case.
6 million lira fine for 'Grey Wolves in Middle School' news
On January 28, FOX TV's morning program Çalar Saat was fined 6 million 345 thousand liras for reporting that the Grey Wolves (Ülkü Ocakları) were promoting themselves in a middle school in Ankara, violating the principle of impartial journalism.
Most fines for news critical of individuals close to the government
The majority of fines, totaling over 28 million 626 thousand liras, were for news critical of individuals close to the government. These reports included allegations involving Presidential Legal Advisor Mehmet Uçum, former Minister Mustafa Varank, MP Şebnem Bursalı, former Prime Minister Tansu Çiller, former Minister Murat Kurum, and a Deputy Minister of Justice.
FOX TV received the most fines: 75% of total penalties; no fines for Demirören and Turkuvaz Media
In the first six months of 2024, FOX TV was fined four times, totaling 28 million liras, which accounted for over 75% of all fines. Last year, more than half of the fines were also imposed on FOX TV.
SHOW TV received 5 million 497 thousand liras in fines, while Tele1 was fined three times, totaling 357 thousand liras.
As in previous years, no fines were imposed on channels belonging to Demirören (Kanal D and CNN Türk) and Turkuvaz Media (ATV, AHaber) groups.
TGRT Haber was fined 213 thousand liras for violating a broadcast ban following an attack at Çağlayan Courthouse, aired on February 7, 2024, during the Cem Küçük ile Günaydın Türkiye program.
Açık Radyo fined and license revoked for 'Armenian Genocide' remarks
RTÜK fined Açık Radyo 189 thousand liras and suspended five programs for using the term "Armenian Genocide" during the Açık Gazete program on April 24, 2024. The council claimed the remarks incited hatred and enmity. After Açık Radyo continued broadcasting, RTÜK announced on July 4 that the station's license had been revoked due to non-compliance with the decision. However, the administrative court suspended the revocation following Açık Radyo's appeal.
RTÜK's 30th anniversary regulations: Additional taxes for platforms, mandatory indicators for news
On June 5, RTÜK introduced a regulation requiring digital platforms to pay a contribution fee of 1.5% of their revenue. Another regulation, published on June 13, mandated that news bulletins display visual indicators, including age restrictions, violence, fear, and sexuality warnings.
RTÜK: Awaiting authority to regulate social media
In a statement on February 27, RTÜK hinted at future regulatory control over social media platforms like YouTube, stating, "Following potential legal regulations, it is expected that social media platforms will be subject to RTÜK's monitoring processes."
Constitutional Court to RTÜK: Conduct the broadcasting license auction
Radio broadcasters, unable to obtain licenses due to RTÜK not conducting a broadcasting license auction for 30 years, appealed to the Constitutional Court. On April 17, the court ruled that RTÜK had violated freedom of expression and the press by failing to conduct the auction and ordered RTÜK to immediately hold the auction.
According to the RTÜK Law, broadcast frequencies must be allocated to broadcasters through an auction. A regulation issued in 1995 allowed broadcasters active until then to continue their operations temporarily, while new broadcasters could only operate after the auction. Despite numerous attempts, the auction has not been held, with financial losses reaching billions of dollars. There is currently no development regarding the frequency allocation auction.
