Turkey’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) imposed fines totaling 124 million lira ($4.5 million) on broadcasters between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, issuing 1,357 broadcast suspensions. Media groups Demirören and Turkuvaz received no fines, while over half of the penalties targeted opposition-aligned FOX TV.
The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) published its report titled 30 Years of Censorship: RTÜK at 30, highlighting the council's increasing control over Turkish media. The report claims RTÜK functions as a censorship mechanism, particularly targeting reports on government corruption and election coverage.
Record-breaking fines for political criticism
The largest individual fine in RTÜK’s history, exceeding 13 million lira, was imposed on FOX TV after journalist Çiğdem Toker said “democracy is not limited to the ballot box” during a broadcast on Turkey’s May 28 presidential election night. Authorities claimed her remarks incited public hostility. Toker was also summoned for questioning.
Another significant fine, over 8 million lira, was issued to FOX TV for its report titled Lobster in the AK Party Group, which criticized the ruling party.
Crackdown on dissent
According to the report, broadcasts critical of the government received more than 60 million lira in fines. Coverage of the government’s response to the February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake resulted in an additional 4 million lira in penalties.
Television series addressing sensitive issues also faced RTÜK’s sanctions. The shows Kızılcık Şerbeti and Kızıl Goncalar, focusing on religious communities, were suspended. Coverage of Kurdish issues was fined 1 million lira, while LGBTQ+ content incurred 568,000 lira in penalties.
Expanding regulatory reach
RTÜK’s remit expanded in 2018 to cover internet broadcasting, granting it authority over platforms like YouTube. RTÜK Chairman Ebubekir Şahin confirmed plans to require YouTube channels to obtain broadcasting licenses, potentially subjecting digital journalists and online creators to strict regulatory oversight.
Background on RTÜK
Established in 1993 following constitutional amendments ending the state monopoly on broadcasting, RTÜK is tasked with regulating radio and TV content in Turkey. Its nine members are selected based on parliamentary representation. Since its inception, the council has faced criticism for using its regulatory authority to suppress dissenting voices in the media.
