Ömer Madra, one of the founders of the Açık Radyo, said that the license revocation had happened due to a technical mishap and that terrestrial broadcasts are vitally important, especially during crises such as earthquakes

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) issued the maximum administrative fine and a five-day broadcast suspension penalty to the Açık Radyo over a guest on the “Açık Gazete” program broadcast on 24 April 2024 using the expression “Armenian genocide.” Because of some communication problems regarding the dates for the broadcast suspension, the Açık Radyo had its broadcasting license revoked for not abiding by the penalty.

The Açık Radyo has had to end its terrestrial broadcasts on 16 October 2024 due to the revocation of its license and has decided to continue broadcasting online under the name “Apaçık Radyo”.

The Expression Interrupted platform has held an online panel to discuss the process that led to the Açık Radyo entering its 30thyear with its license being revoked. The panel took place on 15 November 2024, and was moderated by journalist Meltem Akyol, with Açık Radyo editor–in-chief Ömer Madra and Broadcast coordinator İlksen Mavituna participating as speakers. Madra and Mavituna spoke about the difficulties the radio has faced and their plans for the future.

License revocation process

Açık Radyo Editor-in-Chief Ömer Madra said that despite paying the fine and contacting RTÜK, they had failed to abide by the suspension of broadcast penalty due to technical mishaps with the electronic notice format:

“The electronic notice conveyed by RTÜK included all the information about the fine. We paid it on time. It later appeared that there was a technical mishap with the electronic notice. So, we did not suspend our broadcast because we did not know about the addendum concerning the suspension of broadcast dates. We only noticed after we received a second notice for a separate reason.”

Açık Radyo broadcast coordinator İlksen Mavituna, who said that not abiding by the broadcast suspension was not an act of “disobedience” added that they had objected to the license revocation decision issued following technical mishap, which was due to inexperience, and that the judicial process was underway.

From terrestrial to digital broadcasting

Mavituna said that they had applied to RTÜK for an online broadcasting license during the license revocation process and paid the three-month license fee so as not to sever their ties with listeners, adding that the Açık Radyo losing its FM frequency and its character as a medium accessible by everyone could not be compensated for by internet broadcasting.

However, Mavituna also said that the interest in podcasts and digital media presented the Açık Radyo with new opportunities and stated, “Life has forced us to take new direction. I hope that in the coming period, we will only grow stronger and continue for another 30 years under the name Apaçık Radyo.” Mavituna added that they were planning a wide range of activities for celebrating the Açık Radyo’s 30th anniversary in 2025 and that they will make programs from their archives available to listeners.

Ömer Madra spoke about the strong support they had received from listeners since the moment they began broadcasting as the Apaçık Radyo on 8 November 2024 and said, “We had what you might call a very exceptional connection with our listeners. We felt this keenly during the recent events and saw how important the expression ‘solidarity keeps alive’ really is. We find ourselves in a situation in which one experiences feelings of strength, courage, and wellness.”

“Denial of terrestrial broadcasting harms the right of the public to be informed”

Madra said that the denial of terrestrial broadcasting rights for radios harmed the right of the people to be informed and that this could have fatal consequences. Pointing out the critical role of radio broadcasts during disasters, Madra mentioned the 24-hour uninterrupted broadcasts the Açık Radyo had carried out after the Marmara Earthquake of 1999 by transitioning to short-wave radio: “During the earthquake we broadcasted 24/7 to overcome the lack of information with support from the Radio Amateurs Association. There was no contact with the earthquake-struck areas and the radio became a critical tool of communications. This process once more showed the vital importance of terrestrial broadcasts.”

Madra said that Turkey was an earthquake-prone country and that terrestrial broadcasts play a vital role in emergencies during which alternative means of communications may not function: “Mobile phones and other digital communications tools can be inadequate in disasters such as earthquakes. We saw this happen during the 6 February 2023 earthquake. Revoking terrestrial broadcasting licenses can prevent such a vital function. Preventing terrestrial broadcasts is a decision that makes the access of the people to information more difficult.”

Madra said while they accepted the importance of digital broadcasting, it could not replace terrestrial broadcasting and ended by saying “The struggle continues”.