Turkish state TV fined for favoring Erdogan in election coverage
Turkey's state-run broadcaster has been penalized for favoring President Tayyip Erdogan in its coverage of the country's first popular vote for head of state, the national election board said on Wednesday.
The election was a major step for Erdogan in cementing his power after 10 years as prime minister and extending the authority of the presidency that until his accession had been largely a ceremonial position.
TRT, funded by the Turkish tax payer, was ordered by the broadcasting regulator to replace 11 of its forthcoming programs with documentaries as a punitive measure, and to broadcast the reason why it was being punished.The regulator imposed the measures after a complaint from the High Elections Board (YSK) about breaches of its election coverage rules. TRT was not available for comment.
