RTÜK Fines TV Networks That Don’t Blur Chemical Attack Scenes

RTÜK, Turkey’s Higher Board for Radio and Television, fined 12 TV networks that did not blur the scenes of dead Syrian people after a chemical attack in August. The list of fined networks was listed s follows: TRT-1, TRT Haber, Beyaz TV, Ülke TV, Show TV, Show Türk, Hilal TV, Koza TV, Samanyolu Haber, Samanyolu TV, Kanal 7 and Fox TV. 

According to an article by Muammer Elveren from Hürriyet newspaper, the aforementioned 12 TV networks were fined for “not respecting human dignity” according Code 6112 Article 8 Section 1 Paragraph Ç of Law Concerning Radio and Television Establishment and Broadcasting Services. 

Taken with anonymous vote and bolstered with an expert report, the RTÜK verdict ordered 12 networks to pay 1 percent of their monthly income in August. 

* Code 6112 Article 8 Section 1 Paragraph Ç of Law Concerning Radio and Television Establishment and Broadcasting Services:  “Media service providers present their materials according to the guidelines specified in the law within an understanding of public broadcasting responsibilities. Broadcasting principles cannot contradict with the principle of human dignity and confidentiality of private life. It cannot include expressions that would humiliate, accuse or condemn individuals or institutions.” (BK/BM)

* Click here to read the original article in Turkish.