Country of origin information report Turkey March 2007

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15.25 As noted in the European Commission 2006 report, “As regards access to radio/TV broadcasting, progress was achieved on broadcasts in languages other than Turkish at local and regional level. However, in accordance with the regulation on TV and radio broadcasting in other languages and dialects used by Turkish citizens (2004), TV broadcasts remain limited to 45 minutes per day, 4 hours a week. Radio broadcasts are limited to 60 minutes per day, 5 hours per week. The Radio and Television Higher Council (RTÜK) decided in May 2006 to lift these restrictions as far as music and cinematographic works are concerned. However, as this decision was not officially communicated to broadcasters, they refrained from exceeding the previous limitations for fear of sanctions.” [71a] (p42)
15.26 The EC 2006 report further noted that:
“On the national level, the Public Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) is broadcasting in Bosnian, Arabic, Circassian, Kirmanji and Zaza. However, these emissions are limited to five days a week, 30-35 minutes daily and only cover news, sports, music and documentaries, and not, for example, children’s programmes. The issue of the independence, including adequate funding, of the Public Service Broadcaster TRT, and the Radio and Television Higher Council (RTÜK) remains a matter of concern.” [71a] (p43)
The High Board of Radio and Television (RTÜK)
15.27 The USSD 2005 report noted that:

“The government owned and operated the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT). According to the High Board of Radio and Television (RTUK), there were 226 local, 15 regional, and 16 national officially registered television stations and 959 local, 104 regional, and 36 national radio stations. Other television and radio stations broadcast without an official license. The wide availability of satellite dishes and cable television allowed access to foreign broadcasts, including several Kurdish-language private channels. Most media were privately owned by large holding companies that had a wide range of outside business interests; the concentration of media ownership influenced the content of reporting and limited the scope of debate.” [5b] (Section 2a)

15.28 The Europa Regional Survey 2005 lists the functions of the Supreme Broadcasting Board or Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) as responsible for assignment of channels, frequencies and bands, controls transmitting facilities of radio stations and TV networks, draws up regulations on related matters, monitors broadcasting and issues warnings in case of violation of the Broadcasting law. [1d] (p1199-1200)
15.29 The European Commission 2006 report recorded that:
“Recent decisions taken by the government in relation to the appointment procedure of the members of the High Audiovisual Board (RTÜK) are a cause for concern to the extent that they weaken the independence of the media regulatory body. The Law on the Establishment of Radio and Television broadcast also poses problems in terms of definitions, jurisdiction, freedom of reception, major events, promotion of independent works and restrictions on the share of foreign capital in television enterprises. With regard to the administration of the broadcasting sector, the Radio and Television Higher Council (RTÜK) has so far not been able to reallocate frequencies and review the temporary licences effectively. The issue of the independence, including adequate funding, of the Public Service Broadcaster TRT, and the Radio and Television Higher Council (RTÜK) remains a matter of concern. Progress was made in this area. However, alignment in media and audiovisual policy remain very limited.” [71a] (p42)
15.30 The USSD 2005 report noted that:
“The government maintained significant restrictions on the use of Kurdish and other minority languages in radio and television broadcasts. RTUK regulations limit minority-language news and cultural programming to 60 minutes per day, 5 hours per week on radio, and 45 minutes per day, 4 hours per week on television. The regulations also require that non Turkish radio programs be followed by the same program in Turkish and that non-Turkish television programs have Turkish subtitles. The state-owned TRT broadcasting company provided national programming in Kurdish and three other minority languages.” [5b] (Section 2a)
15.31 On 16 July 2005 the Turkish Daily News reported that “The new members of the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTÜK) on Friday elected as chairman Zahid Akman, who said they had no intention of imposing penalties such as closures, bans or fines in the coming period. Akman took over as chairman in a ceremony attended by Fatih Karaca, the man he is replacing. Karaca said he always called for RTÜK members to be elected and was happy that Parliament had implemented such a change.” [23aj]
15.32 On 21 February 2006 the Turkish Daily News reported that the executives of two Diyarbakır’s local stations Gün Radio-TV and Söz Radio-TV, both of which had applied to RTÜK two years ago to broadcast in the Kırmançi dialect of Kurdish, had met with Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTÜK) officials. RTÜK was apparently considering allowing the broadcast in local dialects in March 2006. [23w]
15.33 On 10 March 2006 the BIA News Center reported that The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) has granted permission to three local media organizations in Southeastern Turkey to broadcast programs in Kurdish. After the signature ceremony, the televisions will be able to broadcast programs in the Kirmanchi and Zaza dialects of Kurdish. [102g] On 11 April 2006 BIA News reported that ‘Medya FM’ (Media FM) in Sanliurfa, which began broadcasting programs in the Kirmanchi dialect of Kurdish on March 23 with the permission of the Radio and Television Higher Board (RTUK), is continuing Kurdish broadcasts under difficult conditions.The radio broadcasts Kurdish programs for a total of five hours per week. The ‘Yasamin Merkezi’ (The Center of Life) aired at 6:00 p.m. every day, consists of 15 minutes of news, 15 minutes of music and half-an-hour of traditional culture. To be able to broadcast in line with the Regulation on Radio and Television Programs in Different Languages and Dialects Turkish Citizens Use in Daily Life, the two employees prepare the program until 6:00 p.m., present the program, and begin translating the program into Turkish at 7:00 p.m. The two radio employees, after finishing their translations, prepare copies and transcripts of the program to be sent to RTUK and the Broadcast Monitoring Unit of the Police Security Station. The weekly package is delivered to the authorities every Monday. Coordinator Arisut complained of not being able to prepare quality programs because of the efforts spent to fulfill the bureaucratic requirements. [102h]
15.34 In addition on 8 November 2006 the BIA News Center reported that:
“A two-day educational seminar organized by the Turkish National Police to show journalists how to cover and report on terror-related developments has drawn fire for being an attempt to dictate security policies on the country's media and further curb the people's limited right to truthful information. Contemporary Journalists Association (CGD) Chairman Ahmet Abakay was among the first to react to the event saying the police would do better with a seminar on how they should treat journalists.‘ Instead of explaining to journalists how they should file their news reports’ Abakay said in an exclusive interview with bianet, it would be beneficial for them to hold a seminar on how members of the security forces should treat journalists. In a written invitation sent to the media, print, radio and television, the Police National Directorate specifically asked for the organizations to send persons with influence over editorial and publishing decisions to the event. ” [102i]