Media watchdog head to get multiple salaries after being appointed to Halkbank board membership

Duvar English

The head of Turkey's Radio and Television High Council (RTÜK), Ebubekir Şahin, was appointed to Halkbank board membership after resigning from TÜRKSAT board membership and will receive multiple salaries as a result.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Atila Sertel said that Şahin's monthly salary topped 30,000 Turkish Liras since he is now the head of RTÜK, a board member of Halkbank and a member of the Press Advertisement Agency.

According to Sertel, Şahin receives 15,000 liras from RTÜK, 12,500 liras from Halkbank and 6,000 liras from the agency.

The deputy also said that it's impossible for Şahin to be impartial on issuing decisions in RTÜK since he is close to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

"I asked the general manager of Halkbank about what kind of benefit they're expecting from Şahin, who doesn't know anything about economics or finance. They didn't respond," Sertel said, adding that Şahin will be the one benefiting from the appointment.

RTÜK is one of the most controversial institutions in Turkey, since it issues fines and broadcast bans on channels critical of the government, while protecting pro-government ones despite the unsuitability of content.

The most recent example of it was the five day broadcast blackout handed to Halk TV and TELE 1 channels.

Şahin's TÜRKSAT board membership was previously revealed by former RTÜK member Faruk Bildirici, who called on the watchdog's head to resign from his post due to the law preventing RTÜK members to be employed in official or public posts.

Bildirici's RTÜK membership was then dropped upon a voting requested by Şahin.