Greta Thunberg visits 30-year-old Turkish radio station after license revocation
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg visited nearly 30-year-old Turkish independent radio station Acik Radyo in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 25, 2024. (Photo via Acik Radyo)
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg recently visited Acik Radyo (Open Radio), Türkiye’s nearly 30-year-old independent radio station, to show support following the station’s license revocation by Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK). Thunberg met with founder Omer Madra, a prominent climate advocate in Türkiye.
In show of solidarity, Thunberg called for Acik Radyo to continue broadcasting, stating, “Open Radio must stay open!”
The message, shared on the station’s social media, highlighted the need for “honest media platforms that tell the truth about the climate crisis and human rights.”
Why RTUK revoked Acik Radyo’s license
RTUK’s decision followed a series of penalties, including five suspensions, ultimately canceling the station’s license in July after it did not comply with a broadcast suspension order.
The penalty targeted Acik Gazete (Open Newspaper), where a guest used the term “Armenian Genocide” during an April 24 broadcast. RTUK cited this as showing a “pompous and partisan stance.”
Initially, Ankara’s 21st Administrative Court paused RTUK’s order, enabling Acik Radyo to keep broadcasting. However, the court lifted this stay on September 27, and on October 11, the radio station received formal notice of the revocation.
Just ahead of its 30th anniversary on October 16, the station bid farewell to its audience, closing with Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” serving as a symbolic farewell to the community of listeners whosupported station for many years.
