On May 28th, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) initiated an investigation into six channels for their non-compliance with the broadcasting bans imposed by the Supreme Election Council (YSK) during the presidential runoff. It is interesting to note that these channels (HALK TV, TELE 1, KRT, TV4, Flash Haber, and SZC TV) share a common broadcasting policy that opposes the government. In the RTÜK announcement, it was reported that the statement made by Çiğdem Toker, a programmer at FOX TV, saying "Democracy does not consist of the ballot box," is under review by the board. The Supreme Council will decide on this matter once the report is finalized.Furthermore, the announcement mentioned that complaints from viewers have been received regarding speeches that aim to demean our honorable nation with insults and attacks following the opening of the polls and the announcement of results. These complaints are also being examined.In response to the investigation, RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin stated, "We will not stay silent in the face of these attitudes that disrespect the national will, democracy, and election results, and insult our people while attempting to humiliate our beloved nation." He hinted at the possibility of imposing fines on opposition channels.Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that Çiğdem Toker's statement, "democracy does not consist of the ballot box," which prompted an investigation by RTÜK, is not problematic. Political science and democratic theory have extensively discussed and defended this viewpoint. The phrase "democracy does not consist of the ballot box" implies that elections alone are not sufficient to establish a democratic political system. While elections are a necessary component, a truly democratic system also upholds individual rights and freedoms through constitutional protections, independent of the majority's will. This comprehensive understanding of democracy, often referred to as liberal democracy, emphasizes the importance of pluralism. Therefore, interpreting this statement as advocating for non-electoral means to determine or remove a government, or as endorsing a coup d'état, reflects either a limited understanding or malicious intent on the part of those who do so.RTÜK's investigation into opposition channels does not come as a surprise. It has been evident for many years that both the Chairman of the Board and the Board's decisions have been driven by a clear intention to penalize opposition media outlets whenever possible. However, it is crucial to recognize that this attempt to punish opposition channels under the pretense of "protecting democracy (!)" is tragically detrimental to democracy itself.Democracy is not solely about the expression of "national will." It encompasses a wide range of liberal-democratic values, including free and fair electoral competition, civil liberties such as freedom of expression, press freedom, and association, as well as the rule of law, checks and balances, and judicial independence. Disregarding these fundamental principles leads to the dominance of the majority, where the democratic system transforms into a zero-sum game where the winner takes all and the loser loses everything.The supposed motive of "protecting democracy" behind the targeting of opposition media outlets is deeply concerning, as it undermines the very essence of democracy. Instead of fostering a healthy democratic environment that embraces diverse perspectives and encourages robust debate, such actions contribute to the erosion of democratic values and the concentration of power. It is crucial to uphold the principles of democracy, including the protection of freedom of the press and the independence of media outlets, to ensure a vibrant and pluralistic democratic society.

The Freedom Observer

RTÜK's investigation into opposition channels does not come as a surprise. It has been evident for many years that both the Chairman of the Board and the Board's decisions have been driven by a clear intention to penalize opposition media outlets whenever possible. 

RTÜK Has Launched an Investigation Against Six Channels

🇮🇹 <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.ft.com/content/649d7326-8013-412d-84f3-97fc3a5069e3" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">The big read:</a> What an Italy led by the far-right might mean for Europe🛢️ <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-09-22/g-7-s-russian-oil-price-cap-is-the-least-bad-option-for-ukraine" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Bloomberg:</a> Capping Russian oil prices is worth trying✍️ <a fr-original-style="" href="https://aeon.co/essays/eric-voegelin-hans-kelsen-and-the-debate-over-nazism" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Essay:</a> Democracy or apocalypse

Aposto World

<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">İnternetin Geleceği için İlginç Bir Birlik</h2>Çin ve Rusya gibi ülkelerin giderek "internet bağımsızlığı" argümanını daha sık kullanması ve bunu özellikle Batı merkezli internete karşı milliyetçi bir yaklaşım olarak diğer ülkelere pazarlaması bir süredir <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.newslabturkey.org/2020/08/10/internet-mi-splinternet-mi/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; text-decoration-skip: objects; touch-action: manipulation; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">splinternet</a> gibi kavramların konuşulmasına neden oluyordu. Fakat ABD'nin yeni hamlesi bu koşulların ilginç bir şekilde evrilmesine neden olabilir.Geçtiğimiz haftalarda <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000017c-e71b-d8e1-a57c-efffa3810004" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; text-decoration-skip: objects; touch-action: manipulation; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Politico'ya sızan</a> (PDF linki) ve Protocol tarafından da <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.protocol.com/policy/white-house-alliance-future-internet" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; text-decoration-skip: objects; touch-action: manipulation; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">detaylıca ele alınan</a> "Alliance for the Future of the Internet" girişimi, ABD ve diğer Batı ülkeleri başta olmak üzere daha özgürlükçü bir internet yaklaşımı benimseyenlerin bir araya gelerek belirli standartlar ve kurallar belirledikleri bir yapı olmayı amaçlıyor. İlk planları bunu Summit for Democracy etkinliğinde duyurmaktı ama <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.protocol.com/white-house-delays-alliance" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; text-decoration-skip: objects; touch-action: manipulation; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">şimdilik ertelendi</a>.Ertelenmesinin arkasında çok mantıklı eleştiriler var. Bunların başında da bu girişimin internetin gerçek anlamda ikiye bölünmesine ve bir "Batı interneti" ve bir "otoriter internet" ile baş başa kalmamıza neden olabilecek olması. Ayrıca bu birliğin parçası olma kurallarından birisi olarak ülkenin internet altyapısında "sadece güvenilir şirketlerin ürünlerini kullanmak" önerilmiş. Bunun asıl anlamının Çin üretimi olmayan teknolojiler demek olduğunu herkes biliyor. Fakat böyle bir kural Türkiye dahil birçok ülkeyi otomatik olarak diskalifiye edeceği için birliğin aşırı kapalı bir ekibe dönüşmesine neden olacaktır.

n okuyoruz|

• Center for Democracy Research&nbsp;tarafından yayımlanan <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6821837188787908608/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">raporda</a> "TBMM'nin 2002-2021 yılları arasında LGBTİ+ görünürlüğüne katkı sağlamadığı" sonucuna varıldı.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2021/6/1/1626685390161.png" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" alt="Center for Democracy Research" ratio="Infinity" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">Kaynak: Center for Democracy ResearchRapor, 2002-2021 yılları arasında LGBTİ+ hakları ile ilişkilendirilebilecek yedisi CHP biri HDP tarafından olmak üzere sadece sekiz adet meclis araştırma önergesi sunulduğunu ortaya koydu. Aynı zaman diliminde aynı konuda HDP tarafından verilen yalnız bir genel görüşme önergesi ve 32'si CHP, 43'ü HDP, 3'ü BDP &nbsp;ve biri bağımsızlardan verilen toplam 79 soru önergesi mevcut. Önergelerin çoğunluğu cevaplanmazken LGBTİ+ hakları konusunda hiçbir yasal düzenleme yapılmadı.&nbsp;

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