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The head of Türkiye's broadcasting watchdog has defended a string of recent sanctions against several opposition-aligned TV channels, insisting the penalties were based on legal violations and not political pressure.
Ebubekir Sahin, head of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK), stated that outlets such as Halk TV, Tele1, and Sozcu TV had repeatedly ignored official warnings and continued broadcasting content that "disturbs public peace" and "disrespects national and spiritual values."
"Broadcasts that seem harmless are in fact playing with the nerves of society," Sahin wrote on social media. "We have warned these channels multiple times, clearly and constructively, yet they chose to defy the law."
Sahin emphasized that RTUK operates under Law No. 6112, which tasks the council with regulating public broadcasting in line with public interest and moral standards.
"RTUK is not acting under pressure. It is fulfilling its legal duty," he said. "We cannot allow content that incites hatred, encourages sectarian conflict, or insults core values."
Opposition media outlets and rights groups have frequently accused RTUK of biased enforcement and stifling dissenting voices. Sahin rejected those claims, describing them as “black propaganda” aimed at undermining lawful regulation.
"Türkiye has seen these tactics before. But no one should expect us to remain silent in the face of broadcasts that harm national unity," he said. "We did not and will not tolerate violations of the law."
The dispute highlights growing tensions over press freedom in Türkiye, where independent media continue to face regulatory and financial pressure from state institutions.
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