25.03.2025 21:41
The Chairman of the CHP, Özgür Özel, made a statement saying, "I call on the RTÜK. Do not dare to touch the free press. I will make your foreheads dirty." In response, RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin gave a strong reply. Şahin stated, "RTÜK will never back down in its responsibilities due to these threats, and it will continue to carry out its work with enthusiasm, just as it has before."
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Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel harshly criticized the RTÜK during the group meeting held by his party in Beşiktaş, Istanbul. Özel said, "I am addressing both RTÜK and the Information Technologies Authority: Do not dare to touch the free press, social media, or YouTube broadcasters. I will make your foreheads dirty!"
RESPONSE FROM RTÜK CHAIRMAN TO ÖZGÜR ÖZEL
In response to Özel's threat, RTÜK Chairman Ebubekir Şahin stated that they would not back down, saying: "For days, we have been following the calls made to our people, especially to our youth, to 'Go to the streets!' and the absurdities that some of our channels have broadcasted live for hours without adhering to any rules, with great patience and by preparing for our first High Board meeting."
Unfortunately, our nation has witnessed that some individuals who went to the streets have committed all kinds of disgraceful acts, from cursing our late esteemed President's mother under the guise of a so-called "democratic right," to damaging our historical mosques, throwing acidic substances at our police, and opening dozens of provocative banners.
"INTERESTING BOYCOTT WARS ARE BEING WATCHED WITH ASTONISHMENT"
While dozens of our tradespeople suffer losses in these events, the interesting boycott wars opened against Turkey's most valuable brands are also being watched with astonishment. On one hand, misinformation is being spread even about the cotton candies given to children on screens, while some channels have shamelessly broadcasted many lies, including claims that city restaurants have been closed.
"RTÜK MUST CONTINUE ITS SUPERVISORY ACTIVITIES"
As a constitutional institution, RTÜK must continue its supervisory activities within its own jurisdiction. However, in almost all countries of the world, opposition parties also work within their own responsibilities and for the benefit of the country. It should be noted that there has never been an opposition leader who threatens "the constitutional institutions of the state" in the countries that the opposition praises at every opportunity.
THREATS LIKE "WE WILL MAKE YOUR FOREHEADS DIRTY" ARE A CRIME AGAINST RTÜK
Moreover, there is a well-established tradition in the press organizations of some countries where the opposition aims to put Turkey in a difficult situation by complaining, to "think about their own state's interests" first. What is expected from the officials of a country's main opposition party is at least to show this sensitivity. In this context: threats like "Do not dare to touch these channels. We will make your foreheads dirty." are primarily a crime against RTÜK, which is a constitutional institution of the State.
"WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN"
On the other hand, RTÜK will never back down in its responsibilities due to these threats(!) and will continue to carry out its work with enthusiasm, just as it has done before. It should be known that regardless of which channel it is; "whoever's beloved, whoever's hero, whoever's favorite," if they are acting unlawfully, behaving without regard for the law, applying censorship to state institutions and employees, disregarding all warnings about broadcasting manipulative images and news, and obstructing the public's freedom to receive news, the necessary administrative sanctions will be applied at the highest level within the framework of the laws.
Additionally, a criminal complaint will be filed with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding all threats and insults directed at our institution and our administrators. It is respectfully announced to the public."
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