TV watchdog fines two broadcasters for slander against Ayd?n Do?an

Turkey's TV and radio watchdog has fined three private broadcasters for publishing "news contrary to the facts" and for slander against Ayd?n Do?an, the founder and honorary chairman of Do?an Holding, which owns daily Hürriyet.

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) fined ATV's "Kahvalt? Haberleri" presented by Melih Alt?nok on the principles of impartiality, facticity and accuracy.

The TV watchdog also fined A Haber's "Memleket Meselesi" and "Ajans Gün ?çi" programs, along with TV 24's "B?çak S?rt?" program for acting against principles of human dignity and the right to privacy, stating broadcasts must not be degrading, insulting or contain elements of defamation.

RTÜK was known as one of the strongholds of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) during the AKP's 13 years as a single-party government from 2002 to 2015 due to the majority of RTÜK'S members being selected from the AKP quota. However, RTÜK's structure changed after no single party could come to power in the June 7 election. The number of non-AKP members in RTÜK --coming from the Republican People's Party (CHP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP)-- currently adds up to more than the members elected from the AKP quota.In Photos: Snow produces picturesque scenes across Turkey after days of stormsIn Photos: At least 27 refugees' bodies wash ashore on Turkey's Aegean coast In Photos: Greek Orthodox Christians dive into cold water to retrieve holy crossIn photos: Turkey commemorates Rumi with 'Night of Union' ceremony in KonyaIn Photos: Ta?yaran Valley in Aegean region to become nature parkPictures released by the Armed Forces depict destruction in southeastern Sur amid clashes, curfewIn Photos: Marks of violence visible across...