Ciner Media Group is a subsidiary of Ciner Yayin Holding, spearheaded by entrepreneur Turgay Ciner. His foray into the media industry began in 2009 with the acquisition of Haberturk, a daily newspaper. Ciner subsequently expanded his media empire by purchasing additional outlets. Today, the group boasts ownership of three television channels and multiple news portals. In 2018, due to financial constraints, the company ceased the print edition of Haberturk, as confirmed by company representatives. However, the newspaper’s operations continue via the online portal Haberturk.com.
Media assets
Television: Show TV, Show Turk, Show Max, Haberturk TV
Radio: Bloomberg HT Radyo
State Media Matrix Typology: Captured Private (CaPr)
Ownership and governance
Ciner Yayin Holding is wholly owned by Turkish oligarch, Turgay Ciner, who is renowned for his close association with President Erdogan. He maintains ownership of his media outlets via a complex network of individual companies, all of which ultimately trace back to him.
Beyond media, Ciner also has vested interests in a multitude of other sectors, including energy and mining. In May 2023, rumors circulated on social media, instigated by a Turkish journalist, suggesting that the Ciner Media Group was set to be sold to Cengiz Holding. However, officials from Ciner promptly denied these claims, asserting that the group is not on the market.
Source of funding and budget
Ciner Group does not disclose the financial performance of its outlets, making it difficult for local journalists to ascertain whether the funding received from public orders and state advertising constitutes more than half of the media arm’s budget. These public orders, issued and paid for by the government, are primarily for work in non-media industries like construction and mining. Despite this lack of transparency, it is clear that Ciner’s media outlets generate significant revenue through ad sales, according to local journalists and activists interviewed for this report in March 2023 and May 2024.
Editorial independence
The media outlets owned by Ciner are widely recognized as avid supporters of President Erdogan. Ciner has consistently made his admiration for the President apparent, frequently meeting with him in person. His media entities not only commend the government’s actions, but the group’s additional businesses also express gratitude towards the President for his collaboration. The bond between Ciner and Erdogan is so strong that Ciner once named a stadium he owns in honor of the President.
The latest round of research for this report did not identify any statute establishing the editorial independence of Ciner’s media outlets.
The most recent research round did not identify any independent assessment or oversight mechanism that could verify the editorial independence of Ciner’s media outlets.
August 2024