Turkey’s media regulator, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), has issued severe penalties against several opposition aligned television channels over their coverage of protests related to the Istanbul Mayor and President Erdoğan’s political opponent Ekrem İmamoğlu.

RTÜK has suspended opposition aligned Sözcü TV’s broadcasts for 10 days, imposed program suspensions on Halk TV and Tele 1, and fined all three networks, citing violations of broadcasting regulations. The regulator (RTÜK) has accused them of inciting hatred and hostility during live coverage of demonstrations following İmamoğlu’s recent arrest.

Ekrem İmamoğlu is the mayor of Istanbul and a prominent opposition figure from the Republican People’s Party (CHP). He won the mayoral race in 2019, dealing a major blow to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which had controlled the city for decades. İmamoğlu’s growing popularity has made him a key challenger to Erdoğan’s rule, particularly in the lead-up to Turkey’s next elections.

His arrest sparked widespread criticism, with opposition figures and media outlets accusing the government of trying to sideline political opponents through the judiciary.

RTÜK’s decision marks one of the strictest measures taken against media organizations before outright license revocation. The penalized programs include Sözcü TV’s “Nokta Atışı” and “Öncesi Sonrası,” Tele 1’s “Sabah Pusulası” and “Haber 13,” NOW TV’s........

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