Prosecutors in Istanbul have placed the television channel Tele1 under the control of Turkey’s Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) as part of an ongoing investigation that includes espionage allegations against jailed presidential candidate and former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, his campaign director Necati Özkan, and journalist Merdan Yanardağ.
According to a statement by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the management of Tele1’s parent company, ABC Radio Television and Digital Broadcasting Inc., was transferred to the TMSF on the grounds that the channel had allegedly been used in the commission of crimes. The statement further claimed that Yanardağ “repeatedly committed offenses through his remarks and actions, effectively used the channel Tele1, and became involved in the case through his son Alp Yanardağ, who is listed as the company’s owner in official records.”
First move by trustee: live news cut, penguin documentary aired
Shortly after the handover, the main news bulletin presented by Murat Taylan was abruptly interrupted — reportedly at the request of the newly appointed trustee, İbrahim Paşalı, a columnist for the pro-government newspaper Yeni Şafak. The live broadcast ended prematurely, and the channel switched to a pre-recorded program featuring a documentary about penguins, an incident that quickly went viral on social media.
YouTube channel taken offline, archived videos deleted
Following the trusteeship decision, videos began disappearing from Tele1’s official YouTube channel before the entire account was taken offline.
Strong reactions from opposition politicians
The move sparked widespread criticism from opposition figures. CHP leader Özgür Özel condemned the appointment of a trustee as an attempt to silence a news outlet “that tells the truth.” He described the action as a “coup reflex” and declared solidarity with the channel’s employees:
“You can silence Tele1, but you cannot silence the people.”
Ekrem İmamoğlu, currently held in pretrial detention, called the measure a “summary execution” and an act of intimidation. He noted that the decision had been made without allowing journalist Merdan Yanardağ to testify or present a defense.
“This is a seizure, a blow to the media — the lifeline of democracy,” İmamoğlu said. “Truth will ultimately prevail, no matter how hard they try to hide it.”
Broader implications
The TMSF’s assumption of control over media companies has long been a source of controversy, with critics warning that such interventions erode editorial independence and centralize the media landscape under government influence. Tele1 is known for its critical stance toward the ruling party and for providing a platform to opposition voices.
The prosecutor’s office said the move was part of an ongoing investigation but did not provide further details about the alleged offenses or potential charges.