Faruk Bildirici: Taking the first half of the sentence and quoting it as if it were only meant for Alevis is distorting the truth.

TELE1 Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardağ commented on the claims that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu would be brought back with absolute nullity on the program 4 Questions 4 Answers, and touched upon some trolls who highlighted Kılıçdaroğlu's "Alevi" identity to bring him back.

Yanardağ's remarks were cropped and targeted on social media. Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) President Ebubekir Şahin, responding to the perception management operation, stated, "Necessary action will be taken." Merdan Yanardağ later revisited his remarks on the program "4 Questions 4 Answers," exposing the perception management operation. The program also broadcast the full footage.

Media Ombudsman Faruk Bildirici also wrote an article about Yanardağ being unfairly targeted .

Bildirici stated that he had watched the footage and said, "Taking the first half of such a sentence and presenting it as if it were only said to Alevis is distorting the truth. Because the first half of the sentence is a very harsh statement for Alevis, and when you take the whole sentence, it applies to all the groups addressed."

Bildirici’s article is as follows:

"Merdan Yanardağ is being written and criticized for saying, 'Alevis have many traitors.' However, this is only the first half of the sentence. It's not right to take the first half of a sentence and then focus on that part when evaluating a statement.

The much talked about and criticized sentence was as follows:

“There are many traitors among Alevis, just like there are in other nations and other faiths, but there are Alevis among the most oppressed and pure people of this country, just like our other citizens.”

Merdan Yanardağ, while saying, "Alevis have many traitors," immediately added, "just like other nations and faiths," thus transforming this statement into a statement encompassing all nations and faiths. In short, he argued that all nations and faith groups have many traitors.

Taking the first half of such a sentence and presenting it as if it were directed solely at Alevis is distorting the truth. Because the first half of the sentence is a very harsh statement against Alevis, and when you take the entire sentence, it applies to all groups addressed. So why was Merdan Yanardağ making such a statement about Alevis? While discussing Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's approach to the court ruling regarding the CHP Congress, he stated that a decision of "absolute nullity" (completely invalid) at the CHP Congress and its adherence to it would be an act of treason, and from there, he continued with the Alevis.

Then he explained, "What kind of banner did they hang in Kadıköy? They put the Zülfikar sword there. The government is using this, trying to explain that this is an Alevi cause through Kılıçdaroğlu," explaining his reason for mentioning the Alevis. On that day, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel's banner, which was hung on an overpass before the Kadıköy rally by unknown perpetrators, reading, "The people's party will be run by people's party members, not thieves. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is the nation's last hope," had been placed on one side of the banner, a precious symbol for Alevis, depicting Ali's "Zülfikar sword."

You can find and watch the entire program on Tele1's website, and anyone interested can find and listen there. I've provided the transcript for this section below.

In short, we may disagree with Merdan Yanardağ's views and his phrasing; we can debate and criticize. Furthermore, I believe the word "traitor" shouldn't be used so lightly, shouldn't be turned into a label, and shouldn't be used to antagonize people. In any case, the term "traitor" has become so frequently and widely used during this period that we, as journalists, shouldn't contribute to it.

However, when evaluating Merdan Yanardağ's words, it is clearly unfair to take the first half of the sentence and ignore and blame the rest, as some journalists, Alevi organizations, and RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin do. This is also a morally problematic approach.

The relevant part of the program broadcast on Tele 1 on September 10, 2025 is as follows:

Murat Taylan: You see taking such a decision and complying with it as treason.

Merdan Yanardağ: Of course. I think this would be treason. I mean, this can't be done with the rhetoric of "no, piro, Alevi, so-and-so," "dede," and so on. Alevis have many traitors, just like other nations and faiths, but Alevis are among the most oppressed and pure-minded people in this country—like our other citizens. Alevis will not allow this.

Murat Taylan: Alevis too… You mentioned Alevis…

Merdan Yanardağ: Yes, Alevis too... Therefore, no one should attempt to make political calculations through Alevis. First of all, the CHP is not a sectarian party, nor is it a party of sectarians. They were the ones who did the most harm to Alevism. The ones who did the most harm. Which Alevism's cause did you pursue? Alevis will not allow this.

Source: News Center