RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin’s YouTube Channels Statement: ‘They have to get a licence’
RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin’s YouTube Channels Statement: ‘They have to get a licence’
RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin spoke about journalists who continue their activities on YouTube. Inspection is on the way!
RTÜK is increasing its control over digital broadcasts in Turkey day by day. Ebubekir Şahin, the head of the institution, who recently made an audit statement on social media and street interviews broadcast on YouTube, said, ‘Now, those who make news and programmes on Youtube will have to get a licence from RTÜK.
RTÜK Radarised Those Making News on YouTube
As a guest of Armağan Çağlayan’s ‘Sorgusuz Sualsiz’ programme on Ekol TV, RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin spoke about YouTube channels. Stating that institutions broadcasting and programming on YouTube are subject to RTÜK supervision, Şahin said, ‘They have to get a licence.’
According to Şahin, channels representing an institution rather than an individual and broadcasting news on Youtube will have to obtain a licence from RTÜK. Ebubekir Şahin said that this licence will be sold for a nominal amount and its duration will be 10 years.
As you know, leading journalists of our country such as Fatih Altaylı have been carrying out their journalistic activities on YouTube instead of traditional media for some time. In this way, he can convey his own thoughts to people without being under any pressure.
Şahin states that these channels are not under control and this should change. The RTÜK President responded to the allegations of pressure on the subject by saying, ‘We are not trying to close them down, we are trying to regulate them.’ In addition, when asked about street interviews, he said, ‘They will not slander, they will not give false information.’
What do you think about this issue? How do you think RTÜK’s new rules will affect independent journalists operating on YouTube? You can share your opinions with us in the comments section.
