RTÜK issues penalties to five TV channels

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The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has imposed penalties on television and radio outlets for violating broadcasting principles.

TELE1 and KRT have each received three program suspension penalties, while RTÜK has imposed administrative fines on S SPORT+ TV, Power Türk and NR1.

During its regular weekly meeting, the council penalized TELE1 for its program "Haftanın Panoraması" (Weekly Panorama) where a guest's statements questioning the nature of the 2016 coup attempt as a "struggle for democracy" were deemed contrary to "national and spiritual values." Consequently, the channel has been fined 3% of its revenue and issued three program suspension penalties.

Previously, RTÜK had imposed a 7-day screen blackout penalty on TELE1 following the arrest of the channel's Chief Editor, Merdan Yanardağ, for statements deemed as grounds for his arrest. The penalty came into effect on August 6.

Regarding the "Haftanın Panoraması" program broadcast on KRT, evaluations concerning HDP/Green Left Party and Kurdish voters were found to be contrary to the "indivisible integrity of the state and nation." Consequently, KRT has been fined 3% of its revenue and issued three program suspension penalties.

Power Türk and NR1 Türk channels have also been penalized by the council for broadcasting clips that could "negatively impact the mental and physical development of children and young people," warranting administrative fines due to the evaluation of potential adverse effects.

S SPORT+ faced penalties as well, as unsanctioned and illegal betting websites' advertisements were virtually embedded during the broadcasts of Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe football teams' European cup elimination matches, along with unauthorized betting ads. In response, RTÜK imposed three administrative fines and a removal penalty from the catalog. (HA/VK)