Probe opened into CNN Türk for ‘insulting president’

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

An investigation was launched on Jan. 25 into CNN Türk on claims that the private broadcaster “insulted” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a news report on a recent lawsuit opened by Erdoğan against Turkey’s main opposition leader.

The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into CNN Türk’s editor and the producer of its morning news program after it used the word “dictator” on its news ticker, during a report on Erdoğan’s lawsuit against Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu over the latter’s recent remark that the president is a “sham dictator.” 

CNN Türk’s news ticker read “‘Dictator” on trial,” using the word in quotation marks.

President Erdoğan on Jan. 18 opened a case against Kılıçdaroğlu over remarks made during the CHP’s recent general assembly, demanding 100,000 Turkish Liras in compensation for non-pecuniary damages.

The complaint filed by Erdoğan’s lawyers followed a probe launched by prosecutors earlier on Jan. 18 into Kılıçdaroğlu for the same remarks.