Turkish parliament approves law giving TV watchdog authority over internet broadcasts

ANKARA

A law regulating video and audio broadcasts online has been approved in the Turkish Parliament.

As a result of the omnibus bill adopted by parliament late on March 21, service providers planning to publish broadcasts on the internet must get a broadcast license and transmission authorization from the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK).

In the absence of a license, a magistrate judge can rule to deny access to specific content within 24 hours following a complaint from RTÜK. If the judge decides that the content is illegal then only access to the specific content will be blocked, rather than access to the entire broadcasting website.

The broadcaster will be able to object to the decision in line with a criminal court law.

A minor adjustment to the law proposal, initiated by ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers, assigned the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) to issue an official guide regarding the new law within six months.

The personal exchange of information and posts on social media are also excluded from the provisions of the new law, according to the adjustments.