If there is no political influence, there is a blackout

RTÜK , which has been criticized for acting "like a cudgel for the government" when it comes to television channels broadcasting critically against the government, dealt a major blow to press freedom with its decision against Sözcü Television.

Sözcü TV was faced with a "10-day blackout" decision due to its broadcasts during the period when Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and CHP's presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained.

Television went black at 00:00 on July 9, 2024. The channel broadcast in black and white, featuring the channel's on-screen faces, management team, and executives just seconds before the blackout.

Following the RTÜK decision, which was described as a "major blow to press freedom," attention turned to the decisions issued by the Supreme Council in the first half of 2025. It was reported that 42 of the 46 sanctions issued by the Supreme Council against national channels between January and June 2025 were directed at channels that broadcast critical content. Tuncay Keser, a CHP member of the RTÜK, stated in a statement to BirGün on June 27 that he had repeatedly appealed to the Supreme Council regarding TRT Haber and A Haber, but his appeals were not considered.

POLITICAL PRESSURE

Another piece of data revealing the extent of political pressure on RTÜK was the Board's 2023 activity report.

The "Threats" section of the report, which BirGün examined, included the following statements, which are an admission of political pressure:

• Late or incomplete implementation of regulations regarding technological developments in the publishing sector.

• Difficulty in content control and mission conflicts due to convergence.

• Tendencies of broadcasting organizations to use their political and economic influence for personal gain.