RTÜK fines four TV outlets for broadcasting opposition MPs' comments on Gezi trial

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The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has issued fines on TV outlets because of broadcasting two opposition politicians' comments about the verdict in the Gezi Park case.

Halk TV, KRT, TELE 1 and Flash Haber have been fined 3 percent of their advertising revenue because of broadcasting statements by MP Özgür Özel, the deputy parliamentary group chair o the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), and Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) deputy Ahmet Şık.

The council concluded that the MPs "degraded and humiliated the government."

İlhan Taşçı, a RTÜK member from the CHP, announced the decision on his Twitter account. The purpose of the fines was to deter TV outlets from broadcasting such statements, he said, adding, "Pressures on the media have reached politicians' statements."

Erol Önderoğlu, the Turkey representative of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), said the fines were intended to "silence critical Tv channels ahead of the election," according to a Twitter post by RSF's Turkish account.

"With its structure and style of interference, RTÜK has no place in a democracy," he said.

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(HA/VK)