As the protests in Istanbul against the Turkish Government show no signs of abating any time soon, the BBC has become embroiled in a censorship row with Turkish nationwide television news channel NTV to whom it supplies content.

At the heart of the row — which has led to an immediate suspension in the working relationship between the two parties — is the decision by NTV not to transmit the BBC programme Dunya Gundemi [World Agenda] today which provided an insight into the events using the BBC's standards of objectivity. During the crisis in Turkey the state broadcaster has for some time been accused of pandering to its Government's political agenda, something that the BBC finds unacceptable.

"The BBC is suspending its partnership with NTV in Turkey with immediate effect following NTV's decision not to transmit the BBC programme," remarked BBC World Service director, Peter Horrocks, "Any interference in BBC broadcasting is totally unacceptable and at a time of considerable international concern about the situation in Turkey the BBC's impartial service to audiences is vital."

Despite the suspension, the BBC has given assurances that it will continue to cover events through BBC Türkçe providing its audiences with "independent, impartial and balanced reports and analysis", the corporation stressed in a statement.

TV programming will also continue to be available for viewing via the website bbcturkce.com, and BBC Türkçe will continue to engage with its audiences via social media, on Facebook and Twitter.