Onlar TV, founded by five journalists who left in reaction to Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı’s interview on Halk TV, attracted great attention on YouTube in a short time. “We are on YouTube to protect our editorial independence,” Şule Aydın, one of the founders, told Journo.
Saying that they left Halk TV without making any plans, Aydın emphasized that Onlar TV was born with the desire to practice free journalism. “We will only obey the truth,” Aydın said, adding that the channel aims to go beyond the classical news presentation. He stated that each journalist produces content in their own style and broadcasts are prepared with collective brain gymnastics.
The financing of Onlar TV relies heavily on viewer support. Aydın says that as long as viewers support them, they will continue to tell only the truth they believe in.
The process that led to the departure from Halk TV began with an interview in which Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı made statements about the peace process and was presented as a “sage”. The broadcast team reacted to this content and left the channel.
Onlar TV started broadcasting on April 3 and its first broadcast reached more than one million viewers. The channel chose its name both because of the collective identity of the 5-person team and as an irony against the polarizing language of politics.
Aydın said, “Turkey needs the truth like water. Onlar TV is a child of that idea,” he said, summarizing the channel’s mission.
16.05.2025
Journo