The article is short and clear. Article 5/1: “It is essential that broadcasting services be provided in Turkish. However, broadcasting may also be made in languages and dialects other than Turkish. Broadcasts must be made in accordance with the rules of the language chosen. The procedures and principles concerning such broadcasts shall be determined by the Supreme Council by regulation.”
Four rules in three sentences
| Sentence | Rule | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turkish is the basis | This is the rule, but not an absolute monopoly |
| 2 | Broadcasting may also be made in other languages and dialects | An express permission; no separate exemption is needed |
| 3 | Broadcasts must comply with the rules of the language chosen | Whichever language is selected, its rules are observed |
| 4 | Procedures and principles are set by RTUK regulation | The detail sits in secondary regulation |
The third sentence is often skipped. “Compliance with the rules of the language chosen” means the quality obligation applies to non-Turkish broadcasts too; it is not an expectation confined to Turkish.
Use of Turkish: Article 8/1(m)
For Turkish-language output a further sub-paragraph among the general broadcasting principles applies. Under Article 8/1(m) broadcasting services “shall ensure that Turkish is used correctly, beautifully and comprehensibly without corrupting its features and rules; no place may be given to low, coarse and slang use of the language”.
Articles 5 and 8/1(m) answer different questions: Article 5 governs which language may be used, Article 8/1(m) governs how Turkish is used.
A compliance regime, not a licensing regime
On its wording the article does not impose a separate permission requirement for non-Turkish broadcasting; it says broadcasting “may be made”. But the final sentence leaves procedures and principles to RTUK regulation. The rules that actually apply in practice — any notification, subtitling, duration or programme-type details — must therefore be read from the regulation in force.
As regards TRT
Among the general broadcasting principles in Article 5 of Law No. 2954 on the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, sub-paragraph (g) imposes the obligation “to use a readily understandable, correct, clean and beautiful Turkish”. In addition, under Article 45/1 of Law No. 6112 the broadcasting principles in Article 8 and the provisions governing commercial communication also apply to TRT broadcasts, so Article 8/1(m) applies to TRT as well.
Sanctions
| Breach | Paragraph | Rate | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art. 5 (procedures and principles on broadcasting language) | Art. 32/2 | 1% – 3% | Within “principles, obligations or prohibitions laid down in the other articles of this Law” |
| Art. 8/1(m) (use of Turkish, slang) | Art. 32/2 | 1% – 3% | Not in the grave group |
| Failure to meet obligations determined by the Supreme Council | Art. 32/2 | 1% – 3% | Obligations imposed by regulation are covered |
In each case the administrative fine may not be less than TRY 1,000 for radio undertakings or TRY 10,000 for television undertakings and on-demand media service providers. Under Article 32/8 a warning may be issued once for each breach falling under Article 32/2.
Language during election periods
Under Article 30/1 the procedures and principles concerning election-period broadcasts are regulated by the Supreme Election Council, and under Article 30/2 RTUK monitors and supervises those broadcasts in line with the Council’s decisions. Whether a specific decision on language use has been taken for a given election must be checked separately.
Use of Turkish and the slang prohibition are covered in the slang guide and the TRT regime in the TRT guide.