The station announced Christmas Eve that both 45-year-old Meltem Günay, an award-winning anchor, and her show's director were terminated immediately after the on-air incident that took place that same day, Fox News reports.
Pro-Palestinian activists have been trying to cancel Starbucks itself after it sued Workers United for posting "Solidarity with Palestine!" on X from the Starbucks Workers United account immediately after the October 7 massacre. Certain Starbucks locations have faced boycotts and vandalism over the ordeal.
Günay was a veteran anchor for TGRT Haber and had won the Best Morning Presenter Award, according to The Messenger, but the station claimed she had violated advertising rules when she showed the Starbucks cup. In the same statement, it seemingly condemned the connection between Starbucks and its support for Israel.
It posted to X (translated from Turkish):
"ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE PUBLIC
"In the news broadcast of TGRT Haber TV dated 24.12.2023, Meltem Günay, who was an announcer, was seen presenting the news with a Starbucks cup in front of her.
"In accordance with the principles of our institution, it is strictly forbidden for the announcer to present on TGRT News TV in a way that will covertly advertise any company. The news anchor and director who acted contrary to this principle were terminated for just cause.
"Our institution has an understanding that knows the sensitivities of the Turkish people regarding Gaza and defends them to the end. It is absolutely impossible to approve any action or publication contrary to this. We do not approve of this action of the presenter and director, whose employment contracts were terminated, and we strongly condemn it. For this reason, their employment contracts were terminated.
"From now on, our institution will continue to stand by the Gaza and Turkish people and protect their sensitivities until the end.
"It is announced to the public with respect. TGRT Haber TV A.Ş."
