Turkey's Supreme Election Board to cease monitoring private TV channels during referendum campaign

Turkey's Supreme Election Board (YSK) will cease monitoring private TV channels during campaigns of the upcoming referendum, according to a state of emergency decree published in the Official Gazette early on Feb. 9. The new regulation states that private channels will not have to broadcast in accordance with YSK rules. 

According to the decree, the YSK will not be able to penalize channels that do not comply with the rules of equal broadcasting for naysayers and those in favor of the "yes" vote. Limitations on political advertisements, rules on speech durations for party representatives and the ban on partaking in unfair competition will be lifted. These practices were applied in previous election terms. 

In the initial years of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), YSK's regulations were supported staunchly by them. The YSK had earlier determined the penalties for the channels and those penalties were put into force by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK).

Before the new regulations, authorities could fine and impose broadcasting bans on TV channels. On the Nov. 1, 2015 elections, a total of 580 penalties were given to private TV channels for violating rules. A vast majority of the penalties were given to private channels on grounds that they did not spare enough time for opposition parties. With the new regulation, the rules of broadcasting during election and referendum terms will be determined solely by RTÜK. 

Private channels will only be monitored by RTÜK, in line with the general principles of broadcasting. 

The private channels reportedly requested for their previous violations to be lifted and demanded the imposition of the new regulation from RTÜK. 

Turkey will hold a referendum in...

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