14.10.2026 09:43
The appointment of a trustee to Halk TV drew a sharp reaction from DEM Party co-chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan. While Hatimoğulları argued that the decision dragged Turkey into a great darkness, Bakırhan stated that press freedom had been interfered with.
DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan reacted to the appointment of a trustee to Halk TV with statements they published on social media.
HATİMOĞULLARI: THIS MENTALITY IS DRAGGING TURKEY INTO A GREAT DARKNESS
Tülay Hatimoğulları said the following in her statement:
"The appointment of a trustee to Halk TV through a dawn raid is a clear political intervention aimed at silencing the opposition media. It is a heavy blow to freedom of the press, the public's right to receive information, and society's pluralistic voice. This mentality that arrests journalists, blocks access to websites and social media accounts, and appoints trustees to opposition channels is dragging Turkey into a great darkness! The pressure you impose on the people is unacceptable. The truth cannot be destroyed by a trustee! Withdraw the decision immediately; end the pressure on the press and press workers. We stand fully with Halk TV and press workers against the trustee. Standing up for Halk TV, press workers, and the public's right to receive information is standing up for a free Turkey."
BAKIRHAN: A CLEAR INTERVENTION AGAINST PRESS FREEDOM
Tuncer Bakırhan also said the following in his statement:
"The mentality that appoints a trustee to the people's right to vote and be elected is now intervening in the people's right to receive information using the same method. We condemn in the strongest terms the appointment of a trustee to Halk TV, one of the leading outlets of the opposition media. This decision is a clear intervention against freedom of the press and freedom of thought and expression. The public's right to receive information, one of the most fundamental principles of a democratic society, cannot be obstructed. These anti-democratic and unlawful practices imposed on opposition press institutions must be ended immediately. We will stand by all press institutions and press workers who are subjected to pressure."