Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA6706
2006-12-20 13:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY: REGULATORY BODY DEFENDS MEASURES LIMITING
how-toVZCZCXRO0020 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAK #6706 3541347 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 201347Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0370 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHMFIUU/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKDAI/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU//TCH// RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEUITH/TLO ANKARA TU RUEHAK/TSR ANKARA TU RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU
UNCLAS ANKARA 006706
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: REGULATORY BODY DEFENDS MEASURES LIMITING
KURDISH-LANGUAGE BROADCASTS
REF: ANKARA 6016
UNCLAS ANKARA 006706
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: REGULATORY BODY DEFENDS MEASURES LIMITING
KURDISH-LANGUAGE BROADCASTS
REF: ANKARA 6016
1.(SBU) Summary: Officials from Turkey's Radio and
Television Supreme Council (RTUK) praised GOT policy on
non-Turkish language broadcasting, and downplayed criticisms
that regulations are burdensome for start-up broadcasters.
The RTUK also defended GOT efforts to shut down Denmark-based
and PKK-affiliated Roj-TV, and did not see value in the
suggestion that more Kurdish-language broadcasting would draw
viewers away from Roj. The RTUK told us the GOT would expand
Kurdish-language broadcasting rights in coming years. In an
environment of increasing nationalism, the GOT is unlikely to
do so prior to next year's presidential and parliamentary
elections. End summary.
2.(SBU) During a recent meeting, officials from the Radio and
Television Supreme Council (RTUK) praised GOT policy on
Kurdish-language television broadcasting. RTUK Head of
International Relations Department Sebnem Bilget told us that
RTUK recently abolished broadcasting time restrictions for
Kurdish-language cultural shows or films. She characterized
the move as a great step forward for freedom of expression in
Turkey. She confirmed, however, that RTUK still limits pure
news broadcasts to 45 minutes per day and continues to
require non-Turkish shows to have Turkish subtitles (see
reftel). Bilget dismissed allegations that such regulations
are unduly burdensome or financially onerous. She told us
that the RTUK treats all regional broadcasters equally, and
noted that most countries have complex regulations governing
broadcasting. She also noted that broadcasting is an
inherently expensive business.
3.(SBU) Bilget and RTUK regulatory expert Nuran Yardimci
staunchly defended the GOT's efforts to close down
Denmark-based and PKK-affiliated Roj-TV, which most
southeastern Kurds watch via satellite (see reftel).
Yardimci told us that the GOT had convinced Belgium, France,
and the UK to shut down Roj-precursors such as MED-TV, and
were confident that their lobbying efforts would convince
Denmark to do the same with Roj.
4.(SBU) Bilget and Yardimci dismissed the suggestion that
permitting more Kurdish language broadcasting would draw
viewers away from Roj-TV. Bilget said that the political
sensitivity surrounding language rights necessitates a slow
change. She told us that she expects the GOT to allow more
Kurdish-language broadcasting in the coming years.
5.(SBU) Comment: The RTUK continues to support an outdated
policy that focuses efforts on blocking allegedly dangerous
content in order to "protect" citizens. In most cases,
Turkey's Kurds can, and do, circumvent GOT regulations
through satellite or high-speed Internet reception. A more
constructive policy would be to show the EU a good-faith
effort to expand freedom of expression. The GOT, however, is
unlikely to liberalize broadcasting rules in the lead-up to
next year's elections. End comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: REGULATORY BODY DEFENDS MEASURES LIMITING
KURDISH-LANGUAGE BROADCASTS
REF: ANKARA 6016
1.(SBU) Summary: Officials from Turkey's Radio and
Television Supreme Council (RTUK) praised GOT policy on
non-Turkish language broadcasting, and downplayed criticisms
that regulations are burdensome for start-up broadcasters.
The RTUK also defended GOT efforts to shut down Denmark-based
and PKK-affiliated Roj-TV, and did not see value in the
suggestion that more Kurdish-language broadcasting would draw
viewers away from Roj. The RTUK told us the GOT would expand
Kurdish-language broadcasting rights in coming years. In an
environment of increasing nationalism, the GOT is unlikely to
do so prior to next year's presidential and parliamentary
elections. End summary.
2.(SBU) During a recent meeting, officials from the Radio and
Television Supreme Council (RTUK) praised GOT policy on
Kurdish-language television broadcasting. RTUK Head of
International Relations Department Sebnem Bilget told us that
RTUK recently abolished broadcasting time restrictions for
Kurdish-language cultural shows or films. She characterized
the move as a great step forward for freedom of expression in
Turkey. She confirmed, however, that RTUK still limits pure
news broadcasts to 45 minutes per day and continues to
require non-Turkish shows to have Turkish subtitles (see
reftel). Bilget dismissed allegations that such regulations
are unduly burdensome or financially onerous. She told us
that the RTUK treats all regional broadcasters equally, and
noted that most countries have complex regulations governing
broadcasting. She also noted that broadcasting is an
inherently expensive business.
3.(SBU) Bilget and RTUK regulatory expert Nuran Yardimci
staunchly defended the GOT's efforts to close down
Denmark-based and PKK-affiliated Roj-TV, which most
southeastern Kurds watch via satellite (see reftel).
Yardimci told us that the GOT had convinced Belgium, France,
and the UK to shut down Roj-precursors such as MED-TV, and
were confident that their lobbying efforts would convince
Denmark to do the same with Roj.
4.(SBU) Bilget and Yardimci dismissed the suggestion that
permitting more Kurdish language broadcasting would draw
viewers away from Roj-TV. Bilget said that the political
sensitivity surrounding language rights necessitates a slow
change. She told us that she expects the GOT to allow more
Kurdish-language broadcasting in the coming years.
5.(SBU) Comment: The RTUK continues to support an outdated
policy that focuses efforts on blocking allegedly dangerous
content in order to "protect" citizens. In most cases,
Turkey's Kurds can, and do, circumvent GOT regulations
through satellite or high-speed Internet reception. A more
constructive policy would be to show the EU a good-faith
effort to expand freedom of expression. The GOT, however, is
unlikely to liberalize broadcasting rules in the lead-up to
next year's elections. End comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON