Media Association report highlights 30 years of RTÜK censorship in Turkey  

Duvar English

Turkey’s Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) released its report, “30 Years of Censorship: The Radio and Television Supreme Council in Its 30th Year,” shedding light on the operations of the state-run media watchdog RTÜK, particularly focusing on penalties issued between Jan. 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.  

Broadcasting in Turkey, initially a state monopoly under the 1982 Constitution, saw the emergence of private “illegal” broadcasts with the launch of Star1 in 1990. After heated debates, constitutional amendments in 1993 allowed private television and radio, leading to the establishment of RTÜK in 1994 to oversee and regulate broadcasts. The council consists of nine members, appointed proportionally by the parties in parliament. 

RTÜK is tasked with regulating radio and television broadcasts, imposing penalties on content that violates broadcasting principles. In 2018, its authority was expanded to include internet broadcasts, granting it power over licensing and penalizing online content. Recent statements by RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin signaled that YouTube may soon come under its jurisdiction as well.  

The report highlights RTÜK’s so-called "red lines," including heavy penalties for criticism of the government. Since 2023, over 60 million Turkish liras ($1.7M) in fines were issued for such content, with corruption-related news and election broadcasts being the most penalized.  

Following the Feb. 2023 Maraş earthquake, broadcasts critical of the government’s disaster management were fined 4 million liras ($113.6 thousand). 

Additionally, dramas targeted by religious groups, such as “Kızılcık Şerbeti” and “Kızıl Goncalar,” faced fines and program suspensions. Broadcasts addressing the Kurdish issue incurred 1 million liras ($28.4 thousand) in penalties, while LGBTQ+ content was fined 568,000 liras ($14 thousand).  

RTÜK often cited violations of the “impartiality” principle as a basis for fines, totaling at least 28 million liras($795 thousand). Another 10 million liras ($284 thousand) in fines was issued for alleged breaches of “national and moral values.”  

The largest fine in RTÜK’s history, over 13 million liras, was imposed on journalist Çiğdem Toker for her comment during a FOX TV broadcast on the May 28 presidential election, “Democracy is not just about the ballot box.” RTÜK claimed her remarks incited public hatred and enmity. Toker was also summoned for questioning over the incident.

In 2024, the highest administrative fine, exceeding ₺8 million, targeted FOX TV for its segment titled “Lobsters for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) Group.” 

RTÜK President Şahin stated that street interviews and YouTube broadcasts are on their agenda, signaling plans to require YouTube content creators to obtain licenses. If implemented, many journalists and online broadcasters could fall under RTÜK’s oversight.