Turkish TV presenter fired for appearing on air with Starbucks cup

Turkish TV channel TGRT has terminated its long-time anchor and host of the ‘Weekend News’ show. Meltem Gunay was fired for what was perceived as ‘covert advertising’ after she appeared on a live broadcast with a Starbucks cup, sparking a boycott campaign for the entire news channel. ‘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 contrary to this,’ reads the statement by TGRT News. Starbucks found itself in hot water when it sued the Workers United union, which represents many of its baristas, for a pro-Palestinian tweet. Ever since, the world’s largest coffee company has been the target of boycotts and protests all over the world, resulting in approximately $11 billion in market value loss.