Türkiye: Stop attacking media pluralism with broadcast bans

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners condemn the five-day broadcast blackout imposed on TELE1 since 1 September, and the escalating use of censorship sanctions by RTÜK, Türkiye's broadcast regulator, against independent critical media outlets. We urge authorities to stop targeting critical and opposition views and uphold media pluralism in line with democratic standards.

On 24 July, 2025, Türkiye's broadcast regulator RTÜK imposedsevere penalties against critical broadcasters, including a temporary broadcast blackout and hefty administrative fines targeting TELE1. The punishment was based onremarks by the channel's editor-in-chief Merdan Yanardağ, who characterised the 2016 failed coup as 'an Islamist coup' and held the ruling AKP government as the main responsible actor. RTÜK alleged that Yanardağ's comments 'incited hatred and enmity among the public'.

In early August, a court in Ankara suspendedRTÜK's broadcast ban to allow TELE1 to challenge the decision. However, the suspension was overturnedon 27 August, clearing the way for the blackout to take effect, from 31 August until 5 September.

This is not the first time a critical broadcaster has been silenced in Türkiyethis year. In July, RTÜK imposeda 10-day broadcast ban on SZC TV over unfavourable comments about the government. Around the same time, on 8 July, Halk TV was also hit witha 10-day broadcast blackout. However, the decision was suspended by a court, allowing the channel to remain on air pending an appeal.

Furthermore, RTÜK issued at least 46 sanctions in the first half of 2025 alone, 42 of them targeting critical outlets, with total fines amounting tonearly 100 million Turkish liras (2 million Euros).

More chillingly, all three broadcasters, TELE1, Halk TV, and SZC TV, now risk the permanent revocation of their licences should they be seen to repeat the violations within the next year.

The MFRR partners regard RTÜK's decision to silence TELE1, and other critical media outlets, as a direct attack against freedom of expression and media pluralism in Türkiye. We urge RTÜK to reverse the broadcast ban and respect the role of independent journalism in a democratic society.

International Press Institute (IPI)

ARTICLE 19 Europe

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)

European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)