The basic statute of Turkey's public service broadcasting regime: Turkish Radio and Television Law No. 2954 of 11/11/1983. It has changed a great deal in forty years - today a significant part of its articles is repealed.
The Identity of the Law
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Law number | 2954 |
| Date of adoption | 11/11/1983 |
| Official Gazette | 14/11/1983 - No. 18221 (2nd repeated) |
| Düstur | Series 5, Volume 22, Page 925 |
| Latest major amendments | No. 5767 (2008), Decree-Law No. 703 (2018), No. 7176 (2019), No. 7548 (2025) |
Purpose - Art. 1
Article 1 (Amended: 11/6/2008-5767/1) - The purpose of this Law is to determine the principles and procedures relating to the regulation of broadcasts made by radio and television and all media, and to the Turkish Radio-Television Corporation, whose autonomy and impartiality are laid down in the Constitution.
Scope - Art. 2
This Law covers matters relating to radio broadcasting and television broadcasts made within and outside the country by electromagnetic wave, by any technique, procedure and means and under whatever name.
The Law's Structure Today
| Part / Section | Status |
|---|---|
| General provisions (Arts. 1-5) | In force - purpose, scope, definitions, basic principles, broadcasting principles |
| The Radio and Television Supreme Board (Arts. 6-7) | Repealed - 13/4/1994-3984/36 |
| Establishment and organs (Arts. 8-12, 15-17) | Repealed - Decree-Law No. 703 |
| Regulation of broadcasts (Arts. 20-32) | Largely in force - Arts. 18, 19, 24, 25, 31 repealed |
| Financial provisions (Arts. 33-48) | Partly repealed; Art. 37 rewritten by Law No. 7548 |
| Provisions on personnel (Arts. 50-56/D) | In force - the disciplinary articles were added in 2019 |
| Miscellaneous provisions (Arts. 57-64) | Partly in force |
The Meaning of the Repealed Articles
The establishment, organs, duties and organisation of the Corporation are no longer in this Law. Decree-Law No. 703 removed those articles and left the arrangement to a presidential decree. The core remaining in the Law is the broadcasting principles, liability, the right of reply and the personnel regime.
We cover the detail in the repealed articles guide.
The State Monopoly Provision Is Still in the Text
The Law Repealed
Article 64: Turkish Radio-Television Corporation Law No. 359 of 24 December 1963 and additional provisional Art. 10 of Civil Servants Law No. 657 and their additions and amendments are repealed. Provisions of other laws contrary to this Law are not applied in respect of the Corporation and its personnel.
Summary
Law No. 2954 determines the principles and procedures relating to the regulation of broadcasts made by radio, television and all media and to TRT, whose autonomy and impartiality are laid down in the Constitution. The articles on the establishment and organisation of the Corporation were repealed by Decree-Law No. 703; the core remaining in the Law is the broadcasting principles, liability, the right of reply and the personnel regime.