In February, both DW and VoA announced that they would not apply for licenses as required by RTÜK under Turkish media law, which critics of the Turkish government say has a real purpose of censorship.
The Supreme Broadcasting Council of Turkey (RTÜK) has denied access to the Turkish service of the US state network Voice of America and the German public network Deutsche Welle because they did not apply for licenses to broadcast content, as required by the Turkish broadcaster. media member said a member yesterday Thursday.
In February, both DW and VoA announced that they would not apply for licenses as required by RTÜK under Turkish media law, which critics of the Turkish government say has a real purpose of censorship.
Ilhan Tasci, a member of RTÜK affiliated with the Republican People’s Party (CHP, main opposition), said via Twitter that access to Deutsche Welle’s Turkish service and to VOA’s Turkish service had been blocked by a court decision at the request of a court. .
According to Mr. Taci, the decision was made by an Ankara court on the grounds that the two foreign media “did not submit applications for licenses”.
“Here is your freedom of the press and your consolidated democracy!” He added sarcastically.
Most of the media outlets in Turkey are considered close to the government and their coverage is without exception favorable for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his political allies. Many Turks turn to alternative sources, some abroad, and social networking sites for information.
RTÜK, which is dominated by the ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP) and its allies, frequently announces fines in media outlets that criticize the government.
The debate in the Turkish parliament on the media bill and the government’s opponents have christened it a “censorship law” has been postponed until the autumn, when the work of the Turkish national delegation will be resumed, said Mahir Yunal, an AKP MP. the week.
Turkey has for years been at the top of the world rankings for the number of imprisoned journalists and is being reprimanded by both its Western allies and human rights groups for a series of violations. Critics of Mr. Erdogan’s government also point to the use of the failed July 2016 military coup as a pretext to crack down on dissent. The government denies the allegations and insists that the measures it takes are necessary because of threats to Turkey’s national security.
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