Supreme Electoral Council circumvented

Under a decree with the force of law, the Supreme Electoral Council (SEC) has been stripped of its power to penalise private radio and television stations that break the ‘equality principle’ in election periods. This has paved the way for the government-affiliated media to make nothing but ‘Yes’ propaganda during the referendum. The CHP voiced its concern at the regulation, saying, ‘The ‘SEC’s constitutional powers have been rendered ineffective.’

RADIO STATIONS IN THE FIRING LINE

The government has also turned its attention to radio stations in the decree with the force of law. Private radio stations will no longer be able to set up their own transmitters. A company at least half of whose capital will be owned by the state will take charge of all private radio stations’ transmitters. The company will be able to close any station it wishes on pretexts such as insufficient capacity. The licences, frequencies and property of media organisations that have previously been closed will be sold through a curator.