YOK Bans Academics from Earning Income on Social Media

Background of the Decision On September 9, 2026, the President’s General Secretariat sent an official letter to YOK, banning civil servants and university academics from generating income via YouTube, social media, websites, and mobile applications.
The decision was justified as a conflict with YOK’s regulations and labeled as “unprofessional.” YOK’s Statement YOK announced that the ban would lead to the rapid removal of academic lecture videos and analyses from public platforms.
It warned that academics who do not wish to face disciplinary investigations and administrative sanctions would be heavily impacted.
Reactions from Academics Professor Altay Tayfun Özcan of Dumlupınar University’s History Department said, "YouTube was an opportunity to move academic work beyond books and articles, allowing researchers to share findings with a wider audience.
It was also a means to spread accurate information." Professor Süleyman Tekir of Akdeniz University’s History Department added, "In an era of increasing misinformation, academics cannot be limited to writing papers alone.
While the digital space may remain empty without them, there is no guarantee that academic ethics will fill that void." Official Statements Both YOK and presidential officials emphasized that the decision was made within the framework of public service and ethical rules, aiming to preserve the integrity of public duties and the overall public service.
Academic Community Debate The ban sparked discussions within the academic community about its impact on knowledge dissemination.
Some scholars argued that digital platforms are essential for spreading scientific information to the public, while others warned that current regulations might restrict academic content creation.