Turkey’s broadcast regulator RTÜK handed down 99 sanction decisions in 2025, imposing administrative fines totalling about €4.5 million across 32 media organisations, alongside programme suspensions and temporary broadcast bans.
The penalties included 25 days of broadcast blackouts, with sanctions spanning national TV channels, radio broadcasters and digital platforms, according to figures cited by RTÜK member Tuncay Keser.
News and political commentary accounted for the bulk of action. Data cited in Turkish media reports indicate 61 of the 99 sanctions were applied to national TV, while 54 sanctions targeted news and discussion programming, often for alleged breaches such as “exceeding the limits of criticism”.
Three opposition-leaning channels were hit hardest. Sözcü TV (SZC TV) received 16 sanctions, TELE1 received 15 and Halk TV received 14, with the three also accounting for all 25 days of broadcast stoppages (10 days each for Halk TV and SZC TV, and 5 days for TELE1).
The clampdown also extended to streaming and online services. RTÜK ordered 10 catalogue removals affecting services including Netflix, Prime Video, MUBI, HBO Max, Disney XD and Spotify, underlining the regulator’s growing reach beyond linear broadcasting.
RTÜK is Turkey’s statutory radio and television watchdog, with members elected by parliament, and has long faced criticism from press freedom groups who argue enforcement is used to pressure critical outlets.
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