Turkey: Ten TV stations placed under state control in two years

Ten television stations in Turkey have come under state control via the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) over the last two years. This shift occurs amidst judicial investigations into financial crimes, including money laundering, fraud, corruption, and illegal gambling.

The opposition station Halk TV is the most recent addition to the list. Ibrahim Pasalı, a columnist for the newspaper Yeni Şafak, has been appointed to lead its management. Other stations placed under mandatory management include Flash Haber, EkoTürk, Habertürk, Show TV, Bloomberg HT, HT Spor, TELE1, Kanal V, and GAİN Medya. While some continue to broadcast, others have changed programming, faced sale processes, or ceased broadcasting entirely.

A 2025 legislative change expanded the authority to appoint state administrators to companies under judicial investigation. Data from the TMSF indicates that following the 2016 coup attempt, 177 media outlets were closed; 26 of those decisions were revoked, while the assets of 151 outlets were transferred to the Fund for sale.