New law allows suspension of TV program by PM
New law allows suspension of TV program by PM
The Turkish parliament approved the Draft Bill on the Establishment of Radio and Television Enterprises and their Broadcasts. Among the other provisions included in the new law there is also one which allows the suspension of a program and the possibility to give monetary fine in case of a supposed violation of the broadcasting principles.
The new law states, "in cases of acute necessity for reasons of national security or of a strong possibility that public order may be disturbed, the Prime Minister or a minister designated by him may suspend a broadcast".
The draft bill is an amendment of Law no. 3984 on the Establishment of Radio and Television Enterprises and their Broadcasts. The penalty system of the former version which foresaw an "apology" and a subsequent "suspension of the program" will be changed entirely.
The current draft bill envisages more severe punishments for broadcasts that are being considered as "separatist", "contrary to the principles and reforms of Atatürk", "inciting hatred and hostility", "praising terrorism", "obscene", "opposing gender equality" or "encouraging violence".
The draft also allows broadcasts in languages and dialects other than Turkish. The law reads as follow: "Publication services shall be in Turkish. Broadcasts in languages and dialects other than Turkish are possible too. The publications shall be in accordance with the rules of the language chosen. The methods and principles of these publications shall be defined by the Supreme Board".
The foreign capital of a media institution can amount to up to 50 percent of the total capital. A foreign person or corporation can become the associate of two media institutions the most. The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) may suspend a program up to five times in case it opposes the principles of broadcasting.
According to Bianet so far, the Turkish public witnessed the authority of the Prime Minister and ministers designated by him to suspend broadcasts in three situations: the bombing of the HSBS Branch in Istanbul on 20 November 2003; the bombing of the Anafartalar building in the Ulus district of Ankara on 22 May 2007 and during the Daðlýca raid of the PKK on 21 October 2007.
The new law states, "in cases of acute necessity for reasons of national security or of a strong possibility that public order may be disturbed, the Prime Minister or a minister designated by him may suspend a broadcast".
The draft bill is an amendment of Law no. 3984 on the Establishment of Radio and Television Enterprises and their Broadcasts. The penalty system of the former version which foresaw an "apology" and a subsequent "suspension of the program" will be changed entirely.
The current draft bill envisages more severe punishments for broadcasts that are being considered as "separatist", "contrary to the principles and reforms of Atatürk", "inciting hatred and hostility", "praising terrorism", "obscene", "opposing gender equality" or "encouraging violence".
The draft also allows broadcasts in languages and dialects other than Turkish. The law reads as follow: "Publication services shall be in Turkish. Broadcasts in languages and dialects other than Turkish are possible too. The publications shall be in accordance with the rules of the language chosen. The methods and principles of these publications shall be defined by the Supreme Board".
The foreign capital of a media institution can amount to up to 50 percent of the total capital. A foreign person or corporation can become the associate of two media institutions the most. The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) may suspend a program up to five times in case it opposes the principles of broadcasting.
According to Bianet so far, the Turkish public witnessed the authority of the Prime Minister and ministers designated by him to suspend broadcasts in three situations: the bombing of the HSBS Branch in Istanbul on 20 November 2003; the bombing of the Anafartalar building in the Ulus district of Ankara on 22 May 2007 and during the Daðlýca raid of the PKK on 21 October 2007.
