Turkish TV anchor fired after appearing with Starbucks coffee cup

A Turkish news presenter has been fired after she appeared on a live news broadcast with a Starbucks coffee cup on her desk. 

Meltem Günay, an anchor on station TGRT Haber, was seen presenting the news on Christmas Eve with a cup from the coffee chain clearly visible in front of her.

Audiences criticised the presenter for the move, claiming that she was endorsing Starbucks, which is currently being boycotted by pro-Palestinian activists due to the brand's alleged support for the Israeli Government. 

Hours later, TGRT announced that it had 'terminated' Günay as well as the director of the news segment for 'covertly advertising' the company, which is strictly forbidden in the broadcaster's 'principles'. 

It added that it 'strongly condemns' their actions and stated that TGRT has an 'understanding that knows the sensitivities of the Turkish people regarding Gaza and defends them to the end'. 

Erdoğan, who has been president since 2014, has been publicly critical of the Israeli government in the wake of its military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip following the October 7 massacre in Israel.