The international organization Reporters without Borders (RSF) condemned the suspension of the Haber Türk program "One to one" as a punishment imposed by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) based on the statements of writer and linguist Sevan Nişanyan.

RTÜK had decided for the suspension of one issue of the program because Nişanyan referred to the incidents in 1915as "genocide". In a written statement issued by RSF on Tuesday (29 June), the organization assessed the punishment as "censorship pure and simple".

RSF: Disproportionate punishment

RTÜK took the decision on 15 June and notified Haber Türk on 21 June. The Council indicated that Nişanyan, one of several guests in the program, "exceeded the limits of criticism" with his statements that allegedly "humiliated the Republic of Turkey".

RSF called on RTÜK to rescind the "disproportional" decision. "Free expression must prevail even when there are opposing opinions on sensitive issues. It is part of the duties of journalists to organise debates in which different views are aired", the organization declared.

The punishment by RTÜK is based on article 4 of Law no. 3984 which forbids broadcasters to "exceed the limits of criticism and insult an institution." According to Reporters without Borders, "the article's wording is extremely vague and gives officials too much leeway for subjective - usually ultraconservative - interpretation that prevents Turkish society from tackling vital issues". (EÖ/VK)