The hawk era is over

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Ebubekir Şahin , who frequently made a name for himself with the penalties he imposed on opposition media outlets, has ended his term as President of the Radio and Television Supreme Council ( RTÜK ). Former AKP MP Mehmet Daniş has been elected to fill the seat vacated by Şahin.

Şahin, whose term as president has ended, has also resigned from his position as a member of RTÜK. Şahin has been appointed CEO of Türk Telekom. New RTÜK President Daniş thanked Ebubekir Şahin, whom he has taken over, and said, "I would like to thank our President for the vision, work discipline, and valuable contributions he has brought to RTÜK. We will work with all our strength to carry this strong legacy even further and contribute to our country's media policies in line with the requirements of the age." Daniş served in Parliament as an AKP Çanakkale Deputy in the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th terms. Daniş was elected as a RTÜK Member by the Turkish Grand National Assembly and began his duties on June 27, 2021.

Şahin's name was linked to numerous scandals during his tenure as RTÜK president. During his tenure, Şahin effectively cracked down on opposition channels, RTÜK transformed into a complete censorship board. Some of the events that transpired during Şahin's six-year tenure are as follows:

• Shortly after Şahin took office, RTÜK issued a regulation that imposed oversight and censorship on internet broadcasting. This regulation imposed penalties on many digital media outlets.

• While Şahin was the President of RTÜK, he was also appointed to the Halkbank Board of Directors. When his salary was criticized, he said, "The salary I receive is legal and ethical."

• During Şahin's presidency, opposition channels were subjected to a barrage of penalties. Channels that broadcast protests and statements following the March 19 operation were fined. Sözcü TV was given a 10-day broadcast suspension for broadcasting the protests, while Halk TV and TELE1 were fined for broadcasting CHP leader Özgür Özel's criticism of Akın Gürlek and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Saraçhane rally.

• It was alleged that Şahin threatened television executives via a private line during the fires that shook the entire country in 2021.

• He issued a direct threat message following the February 6 earthquakes. It was later claimed that he blocked broadcasts on instructions.

• One of Şahin's most frequently used methods was publication bans. Numerous news stories were banned.

• Şahin targeted the street interviews with the words, “We will never allow it to create despair and division in society.”

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NEW IMPOSITION ON BIRGUN TV

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has imposed a license on BirGün TV, which began its new broadcasting season on September 1st and broadcasts on YouTube. According to the Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD), the announcement was made today in accordance with the decision taken at RTÜK's meeting dated September 4, 2025, and numbered 2025/35. The decision was made at today's Supreme Council meeting and has not yet been notified to BirGün. BirGün will be required to apply for a license within 72 hours of the decision being published on RTÜK's website. If the application is not submitted, RTÜK will request that BirGün TV be blocked.