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"The RTUK made it clear in today's meeting that it aims to bring critical broadcasters in line before the election," Tasci wrote on Twitter.

Measures to enter some Balkan and European countries have been tightened in the last 30 days as the number of newly registered COVID-19 cases increases, making travel to and from the region a complicated affair.

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Sozcu, one of Turkey's most read daily newspapers, bought the local TV station over a year ago and made all the preparations necessary for the start of nationwide broadcasting.

But RTUK has stopped the launch of Sozcu TV in its tracks, by not accepting its application for a change of logo, Sozcu said on Thursday.

Under his authoritarian rule, he has dismantled state institutions, made brutal staffing turnovers and insulted journalists.  In recent days, he has been especially keen on quarrelling with foreign diplomats and politicians on Twitter.