Mass resignations rock Turkish opposition TV channel Halk TV

Six presenters and journalists have left Halk TV in Turkey over the past few weeks, a wave of collective resignations that has ignited widespread debate about editorial policies at the station, which is aligned with the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). The latest to depart was Gökmen Karadağ, host of the program "Açık ve Net," who left the channel two days ago without announcing the reasons for his exit.

The wave began in late April with the resignation of Seda Selek, presenter of "Sebep ve Sonuç," who also did not clearly explain her motives. She was followed by journalist Sorel Dağistani, who linked his resignation to a solidarity post with Selek, a move that reportedly angered the channel's management, according to media sources.

These departures carry particular weight due to the resignees' fame and long experience in the media landscape, having worked across multiple television stations and hosted well-known programs for years. The surrounding controversy raises questions about whether the exodus could spread to other journalists and whether it is tied to an editorial policy that allegedly prohibits any criticism of CHP figures.

Allegations of the channel becoming a "media office"

Former CHP deputy Barış Yarkadaş, himself a well-known journalist, offered a provocative explanation, stating that the channel's management prevents journalists from producing critical or investigative news reports about corruption allegations in municipalities run by the party. In a sharp critique of his party's leadership, headed by Özgür Özel since 2023, Yarkadaş added that the channel has turned into a "media office for a political party."

However, Seda Selek, the first to resign, rejected this interpretation. She insisted that the resignations are linked to workers' rights and wages, and have nothing to do with internal political disputes within the party. It is worth noting that Yarkadaş was expelled from the party last year, along with other prominent members aligned with former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

Ruling party exploits the crisis

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has not missed the opportunity to exploit the mass resignations and complaints about wages and rights to target its rival. Prominent journalist and former AKP deputy Şamil Tayyar said sarcastically: "Those who talk about rights, justice, press freedom, and democracy cannot even tolerate a single solidarity statement." He added that "those who cannot achieve peace and harmony within the workplace, or cannot protect the rights of their colleagues, try to give lessons and set standards for governing the country, which is like a joke."

Channel owner Cafer Mahiroğlu defended his institution, explaining that it is suffering from an economic crisis and a decline in advertising revenue, and that all employees are aware of this reality. However, he received responses from the resigning journalists who held him responsible and accused him of mismanagement, keeping the debate over the party's media outlets alive.

This comes as the CHP seeks to improve its image to win over voters, with early presidential and parliamentary elections expected next year. The party asserts it is now close to power, citing the results of the 2024 local elections in which it won the majority of major and district municipalities, including Istanbul. However, it faces lawsuits on corruption charges in its affiliated municipalities and accusations of rigging the internal elections that produced its current leadership, complicating its task.