Popular Turkish TV news show migrates to UStream after ban

ISTANBUL - HDN

The UStream broadcast attracted over 40,000 viewers on March 24.

A popular news program has migrated from mainstream television to the live video platform UStream after Turkish authorities banned it for two days.

The High Elections Board (YSK) ostensibly banned Kanal D television’s morning news show “Günaydın” (Good Morning) and its host, İrfan Değirmenci, from broadcasting on March 24-25 on the grounds that it violated regulations pertaining to the upcoming local elections.

In response, Değirmenci is continuing his program on UStream, attracting over 40,000 viewers on March 24. Değirmenci, who is known for his critical commentary on government policies, said he would live-stream his show on March 25 as well.

After thanking his viewers via Twitter, Değirmenci joked that he had learned how to live-stream his show and now had enough technical knowledge to work for NASA – despite not even knowing how to establish a Facebook account a few days ago.



Video streaming by Ustream