TV channel fined for host's ‘smiling’ when commenting on Turkish far-right leader Bahçeli
Turkey’s media watchdog RTÜK imposed a fine on the television channel Halk TV due to the host Sinem Fıstıkoğlu's "smile" during a discussion about far-right MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli on a TV program.
Duvar English
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has fined television channel Halk TV, known for its opposition stance, three percent of its advertising revenues for the host's “smile” during a debate about far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli in a program she hosted.
The main-opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) member in the council, Tuncay Keser, on Sept. 11 posted on X, stated that in the program aired on Halk TV, Cem Toker's remarks about MHP Leader Bahçeli—“I don't know if Bahçeli is taken seriously in Turkish politics or if his statements are worth this much discussion”—were deemed to exceed the bounds of criticism by the RTÜK.
Despite the host Sinem Fıstıkoğlu’s intervention, which noted, “Of course, as a partner of a legitimate government, what he says does bind us,” the "smile" of Fıstıkoğlu was claimed to be supportive of Toker’s comments.
Consequently, Halk TV was fined three percent of its advertising revenue.
MHP Deputy Chair Semih Yalçın on Sept. 7 targeted the program and Halk TV, and attacked host Fıstıkoğlu with sexist remarks, calling her “a barmaid who encourages bar patrons to increase consumption.”