Turkey: Broadcast ban on TV over criticism of state's religious authority

A Turkish court overturned a previous court decision against a ban by Turkey's media regulator, clearing the way for the immediate execution of a three-day broadcast suspension.

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) had earlier issued a three-day ban on broadcaster Tele1 for alleged "discrimination of language, religion and ethnicity."

The ban was issued over a remark by Sera Kadigil, deputy for the Workers Party of Turkey (TIP), who said during a live broadcast, "Presidency of Religious Affairs, in its current state, is a political Islamist instrument."

Upon Tele1's legal objection, a court had decided unanimously to stop the execution of the ban, but an Ankara court recently overturned the decision, ruling in approval of the ban.

Tele1 will not make broadcast on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Tele1's director said on Twitter:

"A Turkey where Tele1's broadcast is banned will not be a better, more beautiful and more democratic country."