Censorship Concerns in Turkish Media

In the past years, censorship in Turkish media has reached alarming levels. The government maintains substantial control over television networks and censors voices that they deem oppositional. The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has been transformed into a primary tool to suppress opposition media, often imposing fines and broadcast bans on channels that critique the government. 

Among broadcasting channels that have received fines and bans are Tele1 and Halk TV. Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish government has gradually implemented laws and policies that reduce the freedom of independent journalism. The increasing influence of the government in media has resulted in the press losing its freedom as well as its impact on citizens due to not being able to produce works that show the truth of pressing issues. Consequently, this creates an environment where independent journalism is under constant threat, and journalists are forced to choose between self-censorship or risking severe consequences. Media outlets such as Tele1, Halk TV and KRT which are critical of the government are constantly under investigation, and are targeted with forms of repression. The government’s control over media is seen as a way to shape public opinion in regard to their own agendas, protect their own interests and prevent opposing views from gaining popularity.

RTÜK has the authority to impose fines, suspend broadcasts, and revoke licenses of media outlets that violate its regulations. Over the years, RTÜK has more frequently silenced opposition views, eliminating views that differ from or counter the AKP regime. RTÜK was first established in 1994 to provide a regulatory authority for radio, television, and other audiovisual media in a sense of overseeing the rapidly evolving media landscape, specifically with the emergence of private television and radio channels. In 2020, TV station Tele1 with a five-day black screen broadcast ban over statements critical of the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) and Ottoman Sultan Abuldhamit II. Opposition leaders have denounced RTÜK for its move, saying that this is an "attack on free press and people's freedom of information." RTÜK's move was slammed online with the hashtag #Tele1Susturulamaz (which translates as 'Tele1 cannot be silenced') is going viral on Twitter. Similarly, Halk TV was suspended for discussing allegations of corruption linked to high-ranking government officials. In 2022, Tele1 and Halk TV were both fined in heavy amounts for covering anti-government protests and questioning the government policies on the ongoing economic crisis. 

In addition to the actions of RTÜK, the AKP government has passed a series of laws that facilitate censorship and target independent media. The 2020 Social Media Law has raised concerns about the government’s increasing control over online platforms. The law requires platforms like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to appoint local representatives and comply with content removal requests from Turkish authorities. Failure to comply with these requests can result in heavy fines and bandwidth restrictions, which effectively limit access to these platforms. This law allows the government to monitor and control online content, making it easier to censor dissenting views and limit freedom of expression.

On Friday, August 2, 2024, the Instagram ban in Turkey affected the entire country, leaving millions unable to access the app. The ban on Instagram in Turkey has once again disrupted the social media lives of users, highlighting ongoing censorship practices in the country. The move sparked a backlash from Turkish citizens and quickly became a global trending topic on X. It has now gained worldwide attention. X user Cem Say shared a noteworthy update, revealing that the Turkish Constitutional Court had initially deemed the ban unconstitutional, arguing that it infringed on freedom of expression and the press. This shows the frailing justice system which has increased since the 2017 Turkish Constitutional referendum where the office of Prime Minister was abolished and the existing parliamentary system of government was replaced with an executive presidency and a presidential system which reduced the existing check and balances on the government by limiting the power of the Grand National Assembly and Turkish courts and consolidating the power to the president. Additionally, a Turkish court issued an arrest warrant on Monday for a woman accused of inciting hatred and insulting the president after she criticized the ban on the Instagram social media platform, according to broadcaster Haberturk and other news outlets. 

The government has also passed the "Disinformation Law," which was introduced in 2022 and penalizes those found guilty of spreading so-called "false information" with up to three years in prison. This law can be said to be designed to allow the government to censor, as it gives authorities broad discretion to determine what constitutes misinformation. The law has already been used to prosecute journalists and social media users who criticize the government. It is viewed by many as a direct attempt to silence criticism and create a sanction on free speech. Several high-profile cases highlight the Turkish government’s aggressive stance on media censorship. In 2022, journalist Sedef Kabaş was arrested for allegedly insulting President Erdoğan during a live broadcast on Tele1. She was charged under Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalizes insults against the president and carries a prison sentence of up to four years. This case drew widespread condemnation from press freedom organizations, which argued that it was an attempt to intimidate journalists and discourage critical reporting. In 2023 journalist Barış Pehlivan was imprisoned for reporting on the alleged mistreatment of political prisoners, his arrest was justified through the “Disinformation Law”. His case garnered significant international attention and was condemned by human rights organizations, which called it a direct attack on press freedom. 

The extent of governmental surveillance of the media sector was evinced even more pointedly during the 2023 earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, when media outlets criticized the government’s slow response and were targeted with fines and accusations of spreading disinformation. Independent journalists covering the inadequate efforts were faced with opposition by authorities and channels like Halk TV faced significant oppression for showing the truth such as the head of Kızılay, an establishment which provides humanitarian aid and sells tents that were supposed to be donated to victims of the earthquake. RTÜK also blocked live broadcasts from the affected areas, limiting the public’s access to crucial information. The government’s response to the earthquake crisis exemplifies its tendency to suppress critical reporting, even during times of national disaster. 

Moreover, the AKP’s influence over media extends beyond censorship to include the consolidation of media ownership under pro-government entities. Major companies that work with the government have acquired crucial newspapers and television channels, creating a media that projects the narrative of the government. This trend leaves little room for independent or opposition media to thrive, effectively marginalizing varying perspectives. For instance, the 2018 acquisition of the Doğan Media Group by Demirören Holding, a company with close ties to the government, marked a significant shift in Turkey's media landscape. The Doğan Media Group’s assets, including influential newspapers like Hürriyet and TV channels like CNN Türk, were transformed into platforms that largely avoid government criticism. This monopolization of media ownership undermines democratic discourse by limiting the diversity of viewpoints available to the public and creating an environment where state-aligned media dominates public opinion.

International organizations and advocacy groups have repeatedly expressed concern about the limitations on press freedom in Turkey. Reports from organizations such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) highlight Turkey's alarming ranking in global press freedom indices and document numerous cases of journalist arrests, media closures, and censorship. These organizations emphasize that the Turkish government’s actions violate international standards of free expression as enshrined in treaties like the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Turkey is a signatory. Furthermore, Turkey's growing authoritarianism in media regulation has drawn criticism from the European Union, which has urged the country to respect fundamental freedoms as part of its EU accession aspirations. Despite these pressures, the Turkish government continues to defend its policies under the guise of national security and combating misinformation, further entrenching a climate of fear and self-censorship among journalists and media professionals. 

Looking ahead, if censorship continues to grow in Turkey, it could further limit people’s access to diverse viewpoints and independent journalism. This would weaken democracy, as citizens may no longer receive unbiased information to make informed decisions. It could also lead to the government further consolidating its control over public opinion, and journalists self-censoring out of fear of punishment. The outcome could be a society where the media is dominated by government-approved information, making it harder for people to challenge or question authority. 

However, there is hope for change. Global pressure from organizations fighting for press freedom, combined with local efforts to protect journalists, could help push for reforms. Legal actions against restrictive laws and greater public demand for a free press might encourage the government to ease censorship. Additionally, as digital platforms continue to grow, they could provide new ways for people to express themselves and share information, overcoming traditional media restrictions. If these efforts are supported, it could launch a freer, more open media environment in the future.