Turkey’s media regulator has ordered opposition-aligned Halk TV off the air for 10 days, accusing the station of “inciting hatred and hostility” following remarks made during a broadcast. The Supreme Council of Radio and Television (RTUK) ruled that Halk TV violated broadcasting regulations when a guest commented that Turkey “is not becoming more religious, but more sectarian.”
Halk TV, known for its close affiliation with the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), rejected the ruling, calling it politically motivated and part of a broader campaign of repression targeting dissenting voices under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration.
“The media regulator takes pleasure in arbitrarily and disproportionately sanctioning all debate or criticism, fueled by the political and judicial repression targeting the CHP,” said Erol Onderoglu of Reporters Without Borders.
He warned of the escalating pressure on opposition-aligned media, adding: “We fear opposition news channels close to the CHP could be forced to close in the medium term.”
This is not the first time RTUK has taken aim at government-critical outlets. In March, the regulator imposed a similar 10-day suspension on Sozcu TV, another station sympathetic to the opposition.
