Turkey’s top satellite network removes 12 channels
ANKARA
Twelve television channels have been removed from Türksat, Turkey’s top satellite network, as a part of a state of emergency decree issued in the Official Gazette after the July 15 failed coup attempt, believed to have been masterminded by the followers of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen. Among the TV channels removed from Türksat were Hayatın Sesi, Van TV, Jiyan TV, Azadi TV and Zarok TV. Their broadcasts were halted after Turkey’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) notified Türksat on the issue.
Four of the channels were entirely in the Kurdish language, three more were partly in Kurdish and the three others were in Turkish but considered pro-Kurdish, an official who asked not to be identified told AFP.
In addition, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, tol
d Anadolu Agency that the stations’ satellite broadcasts were ceased due to “the threat they pose to national security and their support for terrorist groups.” Eleven radio stations were also removed from Türksat.
Turkey declared a three-month long state of emergency after the failed seizure of power of July 15.
Since the bloody coup attempt, the Turkish government has shut down a total of three news agencies, 16 TV channels, 23 radio stations, 45 newspapers, 15 magazines and 29 publishing houses over alleged links to the Gülenist network and other groups.
Four of the channels were entirely in the Kurdish language, three more were partly in Kurdish and the three others were in Turkish but considered pro-Kurdish, an official who asked not to be identified told AFP.
In addition, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, tol
d Anadolu Agency that the stations’ satellite broadcasts were ceased due to “the threat they pose to national security and their support for terrorist groups.” Eleven radio stations were also removed from Türksat.
Turkey declared a three-month long state of emergency after the failed seizure of power of July 15.
Since the bloody coup attempt, the Turkish government has shut down a total of three news agencies, 16 TV channels, 23 radio stations, 45 newspapers, 15 magazines and 29 publishing houses over alleged links to the Gülenist network and other groups.
