RTÜK fines TELE1 over arrested journalist's remarks on Erdoğan

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The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has fined TELE1 and Fox TV for criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

TELE1 was fined for "inciting the people into animosity and hatred" because of the remarks of journalist Sedef Kabaş, who was arrested early Saturday (January 22) for "insulting the president."

RTÜK also suspended the program that Kabaş attended, "Demokrasi Arenası" (the Arena of Democracy), for five episodes and banned Uğur Dündar, the host of the program, from hosting any program on any TV channel for a month.

The broadcaster will pay two separate fines of 5 percent and 3 percent of its ad revenue.

During the program on January 14, Kabaş said, "There is a saying, 'When cattle go into a palace, they don't become the king; the palace becomes a barn'," apparently in reference to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

RTÜK fined Fox TV for its news anchor Selçuk Tepeli's criticism of the president and the government. The probe into the broadcaster started after RTÜK Chair Ebubekir Şahin shared a clip of Selçuk Tepeli's comments and accused him of "acting like an opposition leader."

The council fined Fox TV for "preventing the formation of free public opinion." The broadcaster will pay a fine of 3 percent of its ad revenue.

"Intimidation"

The Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) denounced RTÜK over the fines.

"The decisions that the RTÜK gave are a direct interference with the profession of journalism and are against the Constitution," said the association.

"With its fines, the RTÜK has been trying for years to discourage media organizations from discussing public issues, and to prevent critical reporting.

"Media outlets that report on the government's activities that are not in the public interest are suppressed and economically weakened by suspensions and fines." (TP/VK)