State-run TRT hosts Oğan after declaring support for Erdoğan

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State-run Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) on May 25 hosted far-right ATA Alliance’s presidential candidate Sinan Oğan, who garnered 5.17 percent of the votes in the first round.

The move came after Oğan declared support for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the second round of the presidential race on May 28. 

One month ago, Oğan went to the TRT headquarters and severely criticized the state-run network for acting “as if they were the property of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.” He said Erdoğan was being broadcast on the channel 7/24.

"Acting with an unequal understanding during the presidential race, TRT needs to remember that they should give equal space to all 4 presidential candidates!" he said then.

TRT’s channels have devoted most of their airing time to Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) propaganda. During the election campaign, TRT channels have not hosted the main opposition’s presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu even once. They also have given very minimal coverage time to the opposition reports.

The opposition also says that the TRT and state owned Anadolu Agency act as manipulation tools under the control of the government even though they should provide independent oversight as publicly funded institutions. 

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