A member of the Radio and Television Supreme Council, the body responsible for monitoring media in Turkey, said on Thursday that the council had blocked the US-based Voice of America radio and the German station Deutsche Welle for not applying for the required licenses.
Both Deutsche Welle and VOA said in February that they would not apply for licenses in Turkey at the request of the Supreme Media Council under the country’s media regulation law, which critics say is aimed at increasing censorship.
Ilhan Taşci, a board member of the opposition Republican People’s Party, said on Twitter that the Turkish-speaking service of Deutsche Welle and the Voice of America was banned by a court decision.
“The Ankara Criminal Court has blocked Turkish service from Deutsche Welle and VOA, who did not apply for a license under a request from the Supreme Council of Radio and Television,” Tasky added.
“Here is your freedom of the press and advanced democracy!”
The vast majority of Turkey’s major media outlets are seen as close to the government, with coverage in favour of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his allies. Turks are increasingly turning to alternative media, some of which are foreign-owned, and social media for news.
The Radio and Television Supreme Council, whose board is dominated by the ruling Justice and Development Party, imposes fines on broadcasters who often criticize the government.
Justice and Development Party member Mahir Unal said this week that the debate on a draft law on media regulation, dubbed by critics the “censorship law,” has been postponed until parliament reconvenes in the fall.
