Turkey
TV station charged for broadcastPosted Nov 9 2010
Kanal D, a privately owned TV station critical of the government, was charged for broadcasting reactions of the families of soldiers who were killed in an ambush by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Reporters without Borders are urging the Radio and TV Supreme Council (RTÜK) to drop the charges.
The Dogan group owned station allegedly went against article 4 of the broadcasting law (Law 3984), which forbids showing “the terrifying characteristics of a terrorist organization.” They can be fined anywhere from 192,000 to 384,000 euros.
Kanal D broadcast the family’s reactions on June 20 and 22, just a few days after the soldiers were killed by PKK members in the southeast province of Semdinli.
Hülya Alp and Esat Ciplak, of RTÜK, have publicly said they disagree with the decision to prosecute, since the footage contained no propaganda and only the unity of the Turkish people.