Halk TV Chairman Responds to Kılıçdaroğlu's Criticism: 'There's a history to this...'

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, recently appointed as the CHP General Chairman, directly criticized Halk TV and its Chairman Cafer Mahiroğlu during a speech at the General Headquarters. Kılıçdaroğlu alleged that some television stations, whose owners reside in London and do not dare to come to Turkey, are bought and sold with money, implying Halk TV's ownership structure.

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We will change this order, change it! Believe me, we will change this order. But while fighting, while fighting for rights, we must be together. We must be shoulder to shoulder. There are owners of some television channels whose owner is in London, who do not dare to come to Turkey. Just as delegates are bought and sold with money, let television channels not be bought and sold with money. I will prevent that too, I will prevent that too... We will fight within this framework. We will fight for the unity of the family, for its cohesion. We will fight together. If we don't do this, we will have problems.

Mahiroğlu responded strongly on social media, asserting that Halk TV, acquired about seven years ago, has maintained a critical and oppositional stance without receiving warnings or threats from the ruling AKP government or state institutions. He acknowledged that the station faced penalties and blackouts, but these were within the purview of regulatory bodies and often overturned by courts. Mahiroğlu contrasted this with the current situation, describing it as a "completely different level" of pressure, threats, and blackmail.

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Dear Turkish people, dear Halk TV viewers; Despite our oppositional stance and broadcasts including harsh criticisms on Halk TV, which we bought about 7 years ago, we have not received any warning or threat message from either the AKP government or state institutions. They imposed many penalties, they blacked out the screen, but all were experienced with the supervisory body within our field of activity. Most of the penalties were overturned by the court. Today, we are at a completely different level in terms of pressure, threat, and blackmail. Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu directly targets Halk TV and me, points us out. He is sending messages somewhere. He thinks that silencing Halk TV is enough for him to move freely; he proves once again that he does not know the CHP voter at all.

Mahiroğlu accused Kılıçdaroğlu of targeting Halk TV and himself to send a message to others, suggesting Kılıçdaroğlu believes silencing the station would facilitate his agenda. He argued that Kılıçdaroğlu fundamentally misunderstands the CHP electorate. Mahiroğlu also revealed instances of alleged pressure from within the CHP, including a deputy suggesting they could reverse public perception within three months if given Halk TV, and another offering material and moral support.

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They have gone so far in pressure, threat, and blackmail that there is also a 'before' this open targeting from the podium. A CHP deputy is doing an interview, saying, 'Give Halk TV to us, we will reverse the perception in 3 months,' this is how much they know their voters. Another is counseling, 'Support us; we will do whatever is necessary, materially and morally.' When they cannot achieve results with these, they are now openly calling 'Silence Halk TV.'

"This channel is under the guarantee of Halk TV viewers and the laws of the Republic of Turkey," Mahiroğlu stated. He affirmed his commitment to broadcasting based on unity, justice, law, democracy, and humanity as a citizen of Turkey. "Therefore, Halk TV will never abandon its principle of independent and democracy-bound broadcasting under any circumstances," he concluded.

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This channel is under the guarantee of Halk TV viewers and the laws of the Republic of Turkey. I have broadcast with my belief in the unity and togetherness of my country as a citizen of the Republic of Turkey. I have stood for justice, law, democracy, and humanity. I am in the same place today. Therefore, Halk TV will never abandon its principle of independent and democracy-bound broadcasting under any circumstances.