ANKARA, (Reuters) – Voice of America and Deutsche Welle, a German radio station, have decided not to apply in Turkey for a license. The decision could mean that their sites are blocked.

Turkey’s major media outlets tend to be close to the government and favor President Tayyip Erdogan, his aides, in large part because they cover Turkey. Turkey’s citizens have been increasingly turning to social media and other outlets for information, including foreign-owned ones.

The RTUK Media Watchdog was responsible for inspecting broadcast media and TV broadcasts. On Monday Deutsche Welle, Voice of America, and Euronews were given 72 hours by the RTUK Media Watchdog to file for an online broadcasting permit to be used in Turkey.

Peter Limbourg was the director general for Deutsche Welle.

The Turkish authorities have the power to ban the whole service on the basis of individual critical reports, unless the reports are deleted. He said that this would allow for censorship.

RTUK is dominated in policy making by Erdogan’s AK party, its allies and other media groups. It often fines journalists critical of government coverage. Tele 1 was recently fined for inciting hatred by RTUK after Sedef Kaabas, a journalist from the palace, used a proverb that had a connection to the palace on a television programme.

Kabas was detained in the interim while he awaits trial. The comments were said to have insulted the president and are considered criminal offenses in Turkey.

Voice of America expressed concern that the broadcasting licence could allow censorship of unfavorable press coverage.

In a news release, it stated that VOA couldn’t follow directives by a regulator to remove content or censor it. VOA also wouldn’t be willing to accept such censorship.

Voice of America posted a tweet (NYSE:) about how to access the site if you are blocked.

Ilhan Tasci is a board member for RTUK from the main opposition CHP. She stated that the deadline was 1230 GMT Thursday. The council would then apply to a court in order to prohibit access to these websites if no licence has been applied by then.

Turkey has a predominant mindset that doesn’t want any other perspective, voice or thought than the government. “This is moving from a national level to international broadcasters,” he said to Reuters.

Western rights groups, allies, and Western countries have accused Erdogan’s government that it used a failed military coup to suppress dissent in 2016. This is denied by the government, who claims that its security measures are necessary in order to protect Turkey.