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The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) fined five TV outlets 17.33 million lira in 2022 (926,000 US dollars) in 2022, according to a report by İlhan Taşcı, a council member.
The five channels -- Halk TV, TELE1, Fox TV, Flash TV and KRT TV -- were fined 54 times in total. Halk TV received 23 fines, TELE1 received 16 fines, and KRT received six fines.
Three pro-government outlets, on the other hand, received only four fines worth 1.7 million lira. TGRT received two fines and ATV and Beyaz TV each received one fine.
Taşcı said, "In the period when Ebubekir Şahin is the chairperson (of RTÜK), the channels to be fined are clear. Only what broadcasts to be fined are chosen and reports prepared upon instructions are brought to the council. And the reports are passed by a majority vote."
The RTÜK consists of nine members chosen by political parties according to the proportion of their seats in the parliament. Thus the ruling alliance has the majority in the council.
Journalism groups have long criticized the council for using sanctions as punitive tools against media outlets doing critical journalism. (RT/VK)
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