CNN Hit For Pro-Erdogan Bias in Turkey

CNN Turk, the media outlet licensed to use the CNN brand in Turkey is under fire for reportedly switching from non-biased political coverage to backing incumbent Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan critic Ekrem Imamoglu, who won a surprise victory in the recent Istanbul mayoral election, only to have it overturned by Erdogan's party, told The Financial Times that CNN Turk was once seen as "a centrist media outlet and a channel that behaved equally towards everyone" 

But in his current bid in the do-over election, Imamoglu, said the station has given him less coverage than his opponents. "In our minds, CNN Turk is no longer a centrist outlet."

The channel is accused of cutting an interview with Imamoglu short this past week, though the station denies the claims.

Atlanta-based CNN licenses its brand to the channel in Turkey, and Imamoglu said they should take a look at how the Turkish channel is run.

The partnership was formed in 1999, between Turner Broadcasting System International and Dogan Media Group, which did not have a favorable relationship with Erdogan, according to the Financial Times. But Demiroren Holding, which has a close relationship to Erdogan and his party, bought the station last year.

What little opposition media remains complains of political pressure, and many journalists have been jailed, the FT notes. Erdogan and his government also have been criticized by multiple groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International for hundreds of tortures of killings over the years.

CNN Turk denied the allegations, saying, "Unfortunately . . . parties or political figures try to use mainstream media as scapegoats to get more votes, to consolidate their supporters. Colleagues who criticize us lost their objectivity and [are] doing activism not journalism. We deny these allegations and try to keep our unbiased and balanced position. We are fair and impartial."

American-based CNN said that CNN Turk is an independent station, but its licencing agreement requires it to adhere to its standards.

"CNN Turk has provided assurances and evidence that they are making every effort to provide balanced coverage of the Turkish elections," a CNN spokesman said. "We are in regular contact with CNN Turk regarding output and editorial practices."