Dogan forced to close 11 channels
By Julian Clover
October 31, 2008 13.27 UK
Turkish broadcast regulator RTUK has ordered Dogan Media Corporation’s D-Smart operation to shut down 11 channels. Several other broadcasters have also been forced to close amid claims that they had failed to secure the necessary licences.
The decision has brought claims that the regulator had deliberately ignored licence requests from the channels for over two years and was now using the issue to put pressure on the channel owners.
For its part the RTUK is preparing to file a criminal complaint against the channels and is sending a report to the prosecutor’s office.
In an editorial national daily Hürriyet has pointed to Turksat’s recent reordering of its channel line-up, which has positioned Dogan’s popular Kanal D at Channel 41 in the guide.
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