The subparagraph that binds reporting most directly. There are four separate rules in a single subparagraph.
The Full Text of the Subparagraph
Art. 8/1-ı - Must take as a basis the principles of impartiality, truth and accuracy and must not obstruct the free formation of opinion in society; news whose investigation is possible within the framework of press professional principles may not be broadcast without investigation or without being sure of its accuracy; exaggerated sound and images, and effects and music other than natural sound, may not be given place in the delivery of the news; it is compulsory to state the archive or reconstruction character of images and the source of news taken from agencies or another media source.
Four Rules
| No. | Rule |
|---|---|
| 1 | To take as a basis the principles of impartiality, truth and accuracy and not to obstruct the free formation of opinion in society |
| 2 | News whose investigation is possible within the framework of press professional principles may not be broadcast without investigation or without being sure of its accuracy |
| 3 | Exaggerated sound and images, and effects and music other than natural sound, may not be given place in the delivery of the news |
| 4 | It is compulsory to state the archive or reconstruction character of images and the source of news taken from agencies or another media source |
The Scope of the Third Rule
We cover the detail in the music and effects guide.
The Fourth Rule: Two Separate Duties to State
- Archive or reconstruction character - it is stated that the image does not belong to that moment.
- Agency or another media source - the source of the news is stated.
We cover those in the archive footage guide and the agency attribution guide.
The Sanction Tier
Subparagraph (ı) is not in the heavy list in Art. 32/1; Art. 32/2 applies.
| Stage | Result |
|---|---|
| Breach | 1-3% of the gross commercial communication revenue of the preceding month - Art. 32/2 |
| Lower limit | Radio one thousand lira; television and on-demand ten thousand lira |
| More than twenty breaches in a year | The broadcast is suspended for up to five days - Art. 32/5 |
| Repetition / a second repetition | Suspension of five to ten days / revocation of the licence |
The Counterpart at TRT
Art. 5/k of Law No. 2954: to adhere, in the gathering, selection and broadcasting of news, to the principles of impartiality, accuracy and promptness and to contemporary reporting techniques and methods. Art. 5/l: to separate news from comment and to disclose the sources of comment.
The Counterpart in Printed Publishing
As regards printed publications and internet news sites, the verification obligation is assessed within the framework of the liability regime in Press Law No. 5187 and the arrangements brought by Law No. 7418. We cover the detail in the legal limits guide.
An Editing Checklist
- Can the news be investigated? Was it investigated?
- How many independent sources verified it?
- Is the image archive or reconstruction? Was it stated?
- Was the news taken from an agency? Was the source stated?
- Are there effects or music in the edit?
- Are the sound and images exaggerated?
Summary
Subparagraph 8/1-ı of Law No. 6112 contains four rules: taking as a basis the principles of impartiality, truth and accuracy; not broadcasting news capable of investigation without verifying it; not using exaggerated sound and images and effects and music other than natural sound in the delivery of the news; and stating the archive or reconstruction character of images and the agency source. Its sanction is the tier in Art. 32/2.