Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu made striking statements criticizing TRT. He likened TRT's broadcasts to those of a prosecutor's news agency.

İmamoğlu called for a boycott of TRT through his social media. He stated, "I hope our people punish TRT by boycotting and not watching it."

He emphasized that TRT's broadcasts are unethical and that a state-funded institution is being used for the ambitions of a few. He condemned this situation as unacceptable.

RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin criticized İmamoğlu's statements, stating that such remarks are an attack on the public's right to information. İmamoğlu's criticisms have resonated widely in the media.

İmamoğlu stated that TRT and Anadolu Agency act against the principle of neutrality, shaking the public's trust. These discussions have brought the issue of media independence in Turkey back to the forefront.