[ad_1]
Turkey’s media watchdog has given 72 international news agencies 72 hours to obtain operating licenses, or access to their platforms will be blocked.
Ilhan Tasci, an opposition MP, criticized the decision of the Supreme Council for Radio and Television (RTUK). This council has asked the Turkish-language websites of VOA, the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, and Euronews to apply for a license. According to Tasci, this decision marks a further attack on media freedom in Turkey.
“The decision was taken by a majority of votes to give the 72-hour deadline for obtaining a license for the websites amerikaninsesi.com, dw.com/tr, and tr.euronews.com,” said Tasci, who is one of nine members. of the RTUK board.
The board of the Supreme Council for Radio and Television, which is dominated by the ruling AK Party, has not commented on the application for an operating license.
In recent years, Turkey has increased media surveillance, giving more power to this council for overseeing all online content. This council also has the power to remove media content. About 90 percent of media broadcasters in Turkey are now either state-owned or close to the government.
Tasci said RTUK’s main goal is media freedom.
Western nations and human rights groups have accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government of using the failed 2016 coup as a pretext to quell criticism. But the Turkish government denies the allegations, saying the measures are necessary because of the security threats facing Turkey.
top channel
[ad_2]
Source link
