The Turkish news channel CNN Türk received a warning from the Radio Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) on the grounds of broadcasting criticism voiced by Hasan Basri Özbey, Secretary General of the Labour Party.

The International Press Institute (IPI) National Committee strongly disagreed with the fine and described CNN Türk as an unbiased news channel that did nothing else but conveying criticism within the framework of a pluralistic publishing policy. "RTÜK chose one of these opinions to penalize by equating the critic with the broadcaster", IPI said.

CNN warned because of Özbey's criticism on Gül

Özbey had criticized the past policies of President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the course of the program "Ne oluyor" ('What's happening'). RTÜK evaluated the program and concluded that "the criticism was a personal attack beyond the limits of moral identity" and decided to sanction the channel.

RTÜK member Hülya Alp attached an annotation to the decision saying that Özbey's criticism did not contain an insult. She claimed that it remained within the borders of freedom of expression. Alp announced that "Özbey is responsible for the opinions".

Özbey had said on the program, "Somebody living in Çankaya [President Gül] made a contract with Powell to the disadvantage of Turkey".

"Deterrence from Freedom of Speech"

IPI also stated that severe criticism of politicians should be tolerated. The association announced that in all democratic countries it was the common view that politicians accept criticism in advance.

"The aim of this penalty is to deter people from using freedom of expression to express their views. We assess this penalty as a coup on press freedom in Turkey". (EÖ/VK)