Politics Service

Reactions to the decision to appoint a receiver to Halk TV continue to pour in from various sectors, ranging from politicians and journalists to professional organisations and earthquake victims. Özgür Özel, Leader of the YENİ Party, who visited Halk TV the previous night, stated that the intervention also targeted citizens’ right to information, adding that attempts are being made to silence the opposition and critical media in Turkey. Emphasising that the loss experienced by citizens unable to follow Halk TV’s broadcasts must not be overlooked, Özel said, “It is necessary to understand who the real blow is aimed at.”

A ‘CONTROLLED OPPOSITION’ WAS PROPOSED

Cafer Mahiroğlu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Halk TV, also issued a statement noting that a detention order had been issued against him as part of the investigation and that he was currently abroad.

Mahiroğlu stated that he would return to Turkey provided the reports concerning him from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) were properly explained, adding, “Anyone who doesn’t come on the first flight is a coward.”

Claiming that he had been approached with certain offers prior to the operation, Mahiroğlu revealed that he had been urged to “be a controlled opposition” and “stay close to the butlancılar [Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's CHP] and report their news”.

JOURNALIST MUSTAFA KEMAL ERDEMOL HAS RESIGNED

Journalist and writer Mustafa Kemal Erdemol announced his resignation from Halk TV, which is now under the administration of a trustee.

Erdemol, who had been working at the channel for four and a half years and had previously served as Head of Foreign News, announced his decision via his social media account. Stating that, as a journalist opposed to interference with the public’s right to information, it could not be expected of him to work under the administration of a trustee, Erdemol noted that being out of work was not an unfamiliar situation for him. Erdemol thanked the staff of Halk TV, his colleagues and the channel’s management, adding that he hoped to reunite with them should the channel once again come together with its viewers, workers and owners.

REACTIONS FROM MANSUR YAVAŞ AND DİSK

Mansur Yavaş, Mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, also reacted to the appointment of a trustee to Halk TV. Reminding that press freedom is constitutionally guaranteed, Yavaş stated, “The Constitution clearly states: ‘The press is free and shall not be censored’.” Noting that a one-sided media landscape would not benefit the country, Yavaş expressed his hope that the measure would be brought to an end.

DİSK was also among the organisations to react to the intervention. Speaking at an event organised by the trade union as part of its ‘Workers’ Gatherings for Justice in Income, Taxation and the Country’ campaign, DİSK General President Arzu Çerkezoğlu said that the suspension of Halk TV’s broadcasts and the appointment of an administrator constituted a serious violation of press freedom, the public’s right to information and democracy. Çerkezoğlu emphasised that they would not accept any intervention aimed at rendering the problems faced by workers, labourers, pensioners, young people and women invisible.

JOINT CALL FROM EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS AND 284 FORMER PARLIAMENTARIANS

The ‘Families in Pursuit of Justice’ Platform, formed by families who lost loved ones in the 6 February earthquakes, also issued a statement opposing the closure of T24 and the appointment of a trustee to Halk TV.

In a statement published on social media, the Platform stated that, as families who lost loved ones in the earthquake, they do not accept interventions targeting media organisations. The statement read: “We stand with the media workers who are the voice of our struggle for justice. A free press cannot be silenced,” it stated.

A total of 284 former parliamentarians—including figures who previously held ministerial, MP and senatorial posts and who today support the YENİ Party—also reacted to the intervention.

The statement highlighted Turkey’s economic, legal and political problems, noting that rather than resolving these issues, the regime was attempting to silence the opposition and the critical press.

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JOURNALIST BAHADIR ÖZGÜR DETAINED

Bahadır Özgür, a writer for Halk TV, which has had an administrator appointed, has been detained. The news of his detention was announced by Bengü Şap Babaeker, Editor-in-Chief of halktv.com.tr.

In a post on her X account, Babaeker wrote: “Bahadır Özgür is being detained.”

Özgür was taken to the Istanbul Police Headquarters on Vatan Avenue; the reason for his detention has not yet been disclosed.

HE WAS WRITING ABOUT THE FUND SCANDAL

Investigative journalist Bahadır Özgür had recently been producing articles and reports on the fund scandal that came to light last month.

TWO JOURNALISTS HAD BEEN ARRESTED

Journalists Mustafa Balcı and Şaban Sevinç, who were taken into custody on the grounds that they had made ‘misleading statements to the public’ in their reports as part of the fund investigation, were arrested last week.

Journalists Murat Ağırel and İsmail Saymaz, who were summoned for questioning as ‘suspects’, had been placed under house arrest.

Note: This article is translated from the original article titled Ne susarız ne tutsağınız oluruz, published in BirGün newspaper on October 16, 2026.