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Türkiye’s media regulator on Thursday ordered a 10-day broadcast suspension for Halk TV, a television news channel seen as aligned with the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), for allegedly inciting hatred during a recent broadcast.
The Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council, or RTUK, said the channel violated broadcasting rules when a guest claimed Türkiye “is not becoming more religious, but more sectarian.”
RTUK stated that Halk TV breached the regulation prohibiting broadcasts that “incite society to hatred and hostility or create feelings of hatred by making distinctions based on race, language, religion, gender, class, region or sect.” In addition to the suspension, the council imposed a 3 percent administrative fine on the channel’s monthly advertising revenue.
Alongside Halk TV, RTUK also fined opposition-aligned broadcasters Sozcu TV and Tele 1. The regulator warned that repeated violations could result in license revocations for all three channels.
In March, RTUK issued a similar broadcast suspension for Sozcu TV, though the sanction was later stayed before implementation.
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