Turkey’s Radio & Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) regulator applied 99 sanctions in 2025 and levied fines against broadcasters and digital platforms a total of about $5.3 million (€4.5m). The main recipients were news and political commentaries, according to data from the Stockholm Center for Freedom which has monitored events.

Additional to the financial penalties some stations were ‘blacked out’ for up to 25 days. RTÜK also ordered the suspension of seven programmes a total of 29 times on multiple broadcasters.

Tuncay Keser, a member of RTÜK, said the sanctions were imposed on national television stations, radio broadcasters and digital platforms for alleged violations of broadcasting principles. Keser described 2025 as “a difficult year for critical journalism,” saying news and commentary programmes were “flooded with penalties.”

Streamers were not immune. On digital platforms, ten titles were removed from Turkish catalogues on Netflix, Prime Video, MUBI, HBO Max, Disney XD and Spotify.

Some 61 of the 99 sanctions were imposed on national television stations. News and commentary programmes were the most heavily penalised category, with 54 sanctions issued for reasons including exceeding the limits of criticism, says the Stockholm Center.

The pro-opposition Sözcü TV received 16 sanctions, including 15 fines, 13 programme suspensions and a 10-day broadcast blackout. Tele 1 was hit with 15 sanctions, including 15 fines, five programme suspensions and a five-day blackout. Halk TV was the recipient of 14 sanctions, including 13 fines, eight programme suspensions and a 10-day blackout.

The penalties come amid concerns over RTÜK’s actual independence, with critics accusing the council of acting as a tool to silence dissenting voices and enforce a pro-government media narrative.

Other posts by :

1. Turkey wants a launch site
2. IRIS2 starts RFP phase
3. Bank: Opportunities for SES and Eutelsat
4. Bank: SES outperforming
5. AST SpaceMobile confirms 2026 launch schedule
6. AST SpaceMobile: “Good for indoor reception”
7. EchoStar booms on SpaceX holding
8. Norway wants a satellite constellation
9. Crossroads backs AST SpaceMobile

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Policy, Regulation

Tags: netflix, Prime Video, radio, Turkey