Sixty-two press and civil society organisations, led by the International Press Institute (IPI), have condemned the cancellation of Açık Radyo’s broadcasting licence by Turkey’s media regulator Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), calling for the decision to be reversed. The groups issued a statement on 18 October, demanding an end to censorship and highlighting the vital role of independent media in Turkey.
Açık Radyo, an independent and non-profit radio station founded in 1995, has been a prominent platform for public discussions on issues such as war, peace, climate change and women’s liberation. The statement warned that the decision to silence the station “threatens not only the future of this crucial platform but also the existence of independent media in Turkey.”
The cancellation follows a series of penalties imposed by RTÜK earlier this year, including fines and a five-day broadcast suspension after a programme guest referred to the Armenian Genocide during an April broadcast. Açık Radyo had paid the fines and continued broadcasting. However, on 16 October, RTÜK officially revoked the station’s terrestrial broadcasting licence, halting its operations on 95.0 FM.
Turkey revokes licence of Açık Radyo over use of term ‘Armenian genocide’
Despite a court ruling in August that rejected RTÜK’s appeal against a suspension of the licence cancellation, Ankara’s 21st Administrative Court later reversed its decision, leading to the licence being revoked. Açık Radyo is now preparing to appeal this latest ruling.
Good Vibrations fades out as RTÜK silences Turkey’s Açık Radyo
The press groups’ statement also emphasised the broader impact of the decision, noting that it restricts public access to diverse viewpoints and violates Turkey’s constitutional and international obligations to protect freedom of expression. “We call on RTÜK to immediately reverse its decision and allow Açık Radyo to continue its crucial work,” the groups stated.
Açık Radyo has appealed to its listeners and the international community for support, as it marks its 30th anniversary amid increasing pressure on independent media in Turkey.
