Turkey academics face potential YouTube income ban

A legal debate has emerged in Turkey regarding whether academics working at state universities can earn income from digital platforms like YouTube. The issue stems from the application of Article 28 of the 1965 Civil Servants Law, which prohibits civil servants from engaging in commercial or profit-seeking activities. While academics are permitted to receive royalties from published books, the Presidential office has issued an opinion to the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) suggesting that earning revenue through social media advertising may fall under the ban on commercial activities.

Professor Behçet Yalın Özkara has addressed the situation, stating he faces a choice between closing his YouTube channel to maintain his academic career or continuing his digital presence through direct audience support. He noted that while he is months away from becoming a senior professor with a significant salary, continuing his channel would require financial support from viewers via platforms like Patreon or Kreosus to offset the loss of his professional income.