Turkish authorities issue warning to Samanyolu TV for ‘biased’ broadcasts


Date posted: March 3, 2014

 İSTANBUL

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has issued a warning over news program “Derin Bakış” (Deep Glance), which is broadcast on Samanyolu News TV, on the grounds that the program is “biased,” only a week after it penalized Bugün TV for the same reason.

As part of the government’s efforts to derail a graft probe that has rocked the government, media outlets that have been publishing and broadcasting reports about corruption in the government are being penalized by state authorities on various grounds.

RTÜK’s recent warning was met with a harsh reaction from Metin Yıkar, news editor of the Samanyolu Haber news channel, who said the recent warning against Samanyolu News TV and the penalty imposed on Bugün TV show how a regulation that was adopted with the intention of ensuring equality of opportunity between political parties during election periods is being manipulated by pro-government circles.

Yıkar said: “There is currently a general perception that those who broadcast in a way that is not approved by the government are being punished. They [RTÜK] don’t say, ‘You are lying’ or ‘You are being slanderous,’ when they impose those punishments. We as Samanyolu News TV only broadcast what the allegations are, and we are trying to fulfill the requirements of our profession with a sense of responsibility. There is no other thing Samanyolu News TV is doing.”

Stating that the RTÜK penalties are heavy, Yıkar said there are some TV channels that are always broadcasting biased programs, adding: “Those channels are broadcasting lies and baseless slander during their programs. RTÜK is doing nothing against those TV channels, but it issues a serious warning against Samanyolu News TV, which is known for its fair broadcasting.”

The Supreme Election Board (YSK) last week asked RTÜK to impose a one week suspension of broadcasting for news program “Gündem Özel” (Special Agenda), which is shown on Thursday evenings on Bugün TV, on the grounds that the program was “biased,” and a documentary on Turkish birds will be broadcast in its place.

The YSK decided on a one-week broadcast suspension for the program due to biased broadcasting, which came after a previous warning on the same issue to the television channel.

According to Tarık Toros, the host of the program, the YSK’s penalty — upon the suggestion of the RTÜK — is an act of intimidation against media outlets that are bringing the corruption issue before the public.

Source: Todays Zaman , March 2, 2014


Related News

Joint mosque-cemevi project launched in Tokat

Turkey’s first-ever joint mosque-cemevi complex has been under construction in Ankara since last September. The project, which is being carried out by the CEM Foundation and the Hacı Bektaş Veli Culture, Education, Health and Research Foundation, was first suggested by Turkish-Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who lives in the US in self-imposed exile.

Erdoğan escalates elimination of Gülenists from state [ with no proof of accusations]

Since the Dec. 17 graft probe, hundreds of prosecutors and judges and around 2,500 police officers who the government believes to be close to Gülen have been removed from their posts, and it seems that it is not going to stop there.

25 World Rights Groups Demand Turkey Scrap Emergency Rule

At least 25 leading international rights groups in various fields, human rights and media, have called for an end to certain measures of emergency rule in Turkey, warning against gross human rights violations and endangering the basic tenets of democracy and the rule of law.

Zaman launches satirical magazine, defying pressure with humor

The Zaman daily, which has been under intense government pressure that culminated recently with the detention of its editor-in-chief in a government-backed operation on Dec. 14, 2014, is launching a satirical magazine Monday, in an apparent move to respond to the pressure with humor.

African firms signal increased trade at TUSKON meeting

A total of 127 companies from 11 different countries in East Africa are participating in the Gaziantep summit, which started on Feb. 9 and will run until Feb. 12. The Turkish and African businesspeople held roughly 5,000 bilateral business meetings. TUSKON has intensified efforts to help more Turkish firms branch out into promising African markets over the past five years.

Fountain Magazine announces essay contest winners

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Fountain Magazine organized an essay contest titled “What’s Your Motto?” Hundreds of essays were submitted from four corners of the world. Magdalena Rusanova from Leiden, Netherlands won the first place, winning $1,500 cash prize.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

The responsibility of the Hizmet movement

Mr. Minister, please look at yourself in the mirror

Guinean president thanks officials from Turkish schools for educational efforts

Terrorist PKK targets Gulen movement’s schools in Hakkari

Taiwanese scholar: Hizmet movement wins hearts with education, charity

Kimse yok mu reaffirms commitment to assist Somalia

Kimse Yok Mu opens two orphanages, Quran course in Senegal

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News