RTÜK fines private broadcaster for insulting Prophet Muhammad

ISTANBUL

Journalist Enver Aysever, Hürriyet photo

The Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTÜK) has fined private broadcaster CNN Türk for "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" in a TV show presented by Enver Aysever, daily Radikal has reported.

RTÜK ruled that the Prophet Muhammad was insulted during the show broadcast on Oct. 15, during which journalist Sevan Nişanyan was a guest. Aysever and Nişanyan were discussing the controversial film, "The Innocence of Muslims," which caused harsh reactions in across the Muslim world a few months ago.

The ruling declared that Nişanyan's statements "exceeded the boundaries of freedom of expression" and found them "insulting and injurious" to society. RTÜK based its decision on the clause of its legislation stating that "exclusion cannot be applied based on any language, religion or sect."

RTÜK also recently fined private broadcaster CNBC-E for airing an episode of the popular American sitcom The Simpsons that "made fun of God."