The reign of AKP ended at Turkey's TV watchdog

Let us leave aside discussions on coalitions and an early election.

There are certain things that are certain: At the very least, we know that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) will not be able to use the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTÜK) high-handedly. 

For many years, RTÜK had five members from the AKP, two members from the Republican People?s Party (CHP) and one each from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP). The majority belonged to the AKP.  

On July 15, the terms of three members are ending. Election for the vacant seats will be done according to the seat distribution of the new parliament. However you slice it, the number of AKP members will go down to four; in other words the AKP will lose its majority at RTÜK. 

What will change in our lives? Well, for starters, the media will be freer. 

Let?s say the Gezi Park incidents happened today? There will not be attempts to close down the opposition Hayat television channel because it ?does not have a license.?

Those pressures exerted on the media through RTÜK will come to an end. Artificial fines will not be imposed through instructions of the political authority. Penalties will not be used as a tool of revenge. Media organs will not be ?tamed? with fines and closure. 

Let us say the Dec. 14, 2014, operation against suspected Gülenists happened today? RTÜK would not be able to fine the Samanyolu Broadcasting Group 1 million Turkish Liras because they made news stories out of what actually happened. 

RTÜK will not be able to go to court every other day to demand media blackouts. It will not be able to facilitate 155 media blackouts over four years. 

If questions on the exams for civil...

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