On 1 August 2019, Turkey introduced a new directive – the Regulation on Submission of Radio, Television and Voluntary Broadcasts ("Regulation") – which require online broadcasters to obtain licenses in order to operate over the Turkish Internet.
According to the Regulation, these licenses are to be obtained from the Radio and Television Supreme Council ("RTSC") and the Information Technologies and Communication Authority ("ITCA").
The aim of the Regulation is to set procedures and principles for radio, television and independent sources to transmit over the internet. It also establishes licensing for media service providers, sets the criteria for those who will be authorised to broadcast (i.e. the platform operators) and identifies the body that will monitor these broadcasts.
In terms of types of transmissions, the Regulation covers online radio, television and voluntary broadcast services as well as online private media and platform operators.
Broadcast Authorisation and Licensing
Media service providers who transmit radio, television and voluntary broadcasts over the internet must obtain a broadcast license from the RTSC. Specifically, licenses are now required for following activities:
- An INTERNET-RD broadcast license for online radio services;
- An INTERNET-TV broadcast license for online television services; and
- An INTERNET-IBYH broadcast license for voluntary broadcast services.
Broadcast licenses will be granted exclusively to joint stock companies established according to the Turkish Commercial Code. Each media service provider is entitled to broadcast one radio, one television and one voluntary broadcast service online, and must obtain separate licenses for each of these broadcasters.
In addition, platform operators must also obtain authorisation from the RTSC in order to begin broadcasting.
Applying for Licenses
To apply for online broadcast licenses, media service providers must fill out application documentation and then submit a request petition and corresponding documents to the RTSC.
Online broadcast licenses will be granted for ten (10) year terms. Renewal applications can be submitted up to two (2) months before the end of the license period.
Fines
The RTSC is entitled to cancel a license in the event of non-fulfillment of requirements in the Regulation or if it is determined that the license was acquired by submitting false information. The ITCA can also issue fines in the event of a breach of obligations.
Contact
For more information on this Regulation and online broadcasting in Turkey, do not hesitate to contact your regular CMS source or our local CMS expert Dr. Döne Yalçın.
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