Save ROJ TV: March 2006

Friday, March 31, 2006

Freedom of speech is a right, not a privilege

Freedom of speech is a right, not a privilege. That's why European countries must protect the ROJTV's licence as long that Turkey denies the right for Kurdish free televisions in their own language.

In solidarity, Céline Delforge, Member of Brussels Regional Parliament"

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Roj TV strikes again; Diyarbakir turned into war zone yesterday

Hurriyet : Thursday, March 30 , 2006

The funerals for 4 of the 14 terrorist PKK members killed in clashes in the Southeast of Turkey were held yesterday in Diyarbakir, where broadcasts by Kurdish-backed Roj TV led to violent rioting on the streets of the city. Roj TV has been the focus of recent controversy, as Turkey has made a series of high level diplomatic requests that it be shut down in Denmark, where it continues to broadcast uninterrupted by the Danish government.

Yesterday, a call to shop and business owners to "close their shutters and roll down their metal blinds" in deference to the funerals led to violence by PKK supporters on the streets of Diyarbakir against up to 70 shops, 3 banks, and one health clinic that chose not to heed the Roj TY broadcasted warning from the PKK. Supporters of the outlawed terrorist group threw molotov cocktails at unshuttered businesses, and some banks' ATMs were destroyed.

Events occured in follow-up to funeral

The event leading up to the rioting and clashes in Diyarbakir was the funerals held for PKK terrorists Bulent Tanisik, Muzaffer Pehlivan, Mahmut Guler, and Kenan Demir. The funerals were attended by an estimated 5,000 people, who accompanied the bodies from Diyarbakir's Sefik Efendi mosque to the Yenikoy Graveyard where they were buried. Stones were thrown by the crowd at the 2nd Tactical Air Force regiment which passed nearby the funeral procession. Following the burials, a group of 1,000 marched through the streets shouting slogans in support of imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Later, gas bombs and stones were thrown in clashes between police forces behind barricades that confronted the marchers in the street. With crowds dispersing into sidestreets, businesses that had not closed their metal shutters were attacked by PKK supporters armed with molotov cocktails, sticks, and stones.

No one was killedl yesterday in Diyarbakir, although 10 police force members and one soldier were injured. Funerals for the remaining 10 PKK members killed in clashes this week were also marked by protest in Batman, Adana, and Siirt, though none of the other funerals turned into anything like the events in Diyarbakir.

............................................................................................

Warmongers continue their baseless accusations !

Roj TV's broadcasting never condon violence and hatered. Roj TV has not conveyed calls to shop and business owners to " Close their shutters and roll down their metal blinds".

What ROJ TV has done is reporting about the events in Diyarbakir in an objective way and has exposed the brutal treament of innocent people in Diyarbakir .

Newspapers like Hurriyet should come to their senses and refrain from demanding the closer of a free media outlet which is true adherent of freedom of expression.

Save ROJ TV Team

The Turks blame RojTV

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Turkey's human rights records should be checked in the European Human rights court who issues almost every month a fine against Turkey. It could be even more than that. The country who just started broadcasting rubbish Turkish opinions in what they call it 'local language' days ago.

Today there was clashes between protestors and the supressing Turkish police. They are doing everything they can with both of the axes of evil, Iran and Syria to crack down Kurds everywhere.

Iran is trying its best using his people, his agents in Iraq who doesnt need any referrals because there is only one powerful man in Iraq which is Iranian.

The Turkish governement is about to realise the seriousness of the Kurdish issue, so far may be they were still dreadming of another Turkish empire using some other tool as Islam will no longer benefit them.

After today's protest during the funeral of four PKK guarillas who were killed in an operaion by the Turkish army. Turkish media started to make it an excuse to say that RojTv was to be blamed and ask the prime minister of Denmark to listen to their prayers! But they don't know the other side of the story is Denmark will say "hang on, we need to listen to the other side of the story as well" so there will be more reason to keep RojTV alive so that it can read the other side's claims.

Did they think Europeans are so naive? I doubt it, some Turkish media and its government is so racist that they can NOT even see the right way of complaining! Try again Hurriyet.com your objection is suspended!

Posted by hiwa@12:40

Hiwa24@gmail.com

Source: Hiwakan

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Free Expression Falls Victim to EU Opponents

Using loosely worded laws that criminalize the denigration of the Turkish state, conservative secular nationalists - referred to by some as "the state within the state" - are challenging writings and public comments on issues they dislike.

CPJ/IFEX

17/03/2006

BİA (New York) - Nationalists opposed to Turkey's engagement with Europe have sought out sympathetic public prosecutors across the country to file criminal complaints against journalists, writers and academics who favor EU membership, a new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists has found.

Using loosely worded laws that criminalize the denigration of the Turkish state, its identity and its institutions, conservative secular nationalists - referred to by some as "the state within the state" - are challenging writings and public comments on issues they dislike, including the Kurds, the mass killings of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire, and the security forces, CPJ found in its special report, "Nationalism and the Press," released today.

Five journalists were charged in December 2005 under Article 288 of the penal code with attempting to influence the outcome of judicial proceedings through their writings. Four of the five were also charged under the controversial Article 301 of the code with insulting "Turkishness," and if convicted could face prison terms from six months to 10 years.

Senior Editor Robert Mahoney attended the unruly opening of the journalists' trial on February 7 in Istanbul where hundreds of riot police ringed the court room and the judge adjourned the case after two hours. He interviewed several of the journalists standing trial, government officials and activists for the report.

Since Turkey's penal code was overhauled in 2005, cases have been brought against 29 journalists under Article 301, according to the local press freedom organization Bia.

For 40 years, Turkey has been forging closer political, economic, and social ties with Europe, writes Mahoney. But the opening last October of formal accession negotiations with Brussels has galvanized those who feel Turkey has gone far enough in reforming itself along Western lines to pass the EU membership test.

The prosecution of the five journalists is scheduled to reconvene on April 11.

Monday, March 27, 2006

Dutch journalist visits Roj TV

Recently Dutch journalist Judit Neurink of the newspaper Trouw visited the Kurdish satellite TV-station Roj TV. She is working on a training program for journalists in South-Kurdistan. She has already visited South-Kurdistan and trained journalists of independent newspapers like Hawlati and newspapers tied to the Kurdish parties in Silemani and Hewler.

After her visit to ROJ TV she wrote an article for the newspaper Trouw which were published on 20.03.2006.
we publish the English translation here

"Kurd with an opinion calls to Denderleeuw" - Trouw

Kurdish satellite stations play a role in the strengthening national consciousness of Kurds. Not all authorities are happy with that.

"We are watched in all Kurdish regions and by Kurds in the Diaspora," says Hassan Ghazi, program director (presenter) on the Kurdish Tv-station Roj TV in Brussel. "Our message is that it's important, that different cultures live in peace together".

Ghazi is very proud of the TV-station. Turkey says that the TV-station has ties with the Kurdish separatist movement the PKK. "That's not true", he says. "We speak about tolerance, we do not have anything against Turkish culture and we have a lot of programs in Turkish."

In the café in Flemish Denderleeuw, just outside the Belgium capital, there is not a lot of attention for the broadcasts of Roj TV in Turkish. Program directors are having a meeting, an announcer makes notes in his text.

Here two big studios are built for discussion-, interview- and child programs, sometimes with a public. On a separate section sits the newsreader with his back towards a busy editorial group.

Today guests are invited because of the deadly riots in the Kurdish Qamislo of two years ago. The channel spends a lot of attention to every subject that could be interesting for Kurds, says Ghazi. "There is a lot of room for discussions, and viewers can call and can talk and participate in the debates . That happens in three Kurdish dialects, Turkish and Arabic.

In Denderleeuw 120 Kurds work from diverse regions: from Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey (Kurdistan) and second generation Europeans. Ghazi emphasises that in Belgium, just as in Germany only production companies work for Roj TV and that the channel operates from Denmark. That's a smart construction, that should prevent a repeat of problems, that Med-TV and Medya-TV earlier had.

The Kurdish channels that operated from London and Paris were exposed to pressure of Turkey and broadcasting prohibition, because allegedly they were related to the PKK, an organization that's on the EU terror-list since 2004.

Turkish premier Erdogan asked the Danish government to close down Roj TV for the same reasons. The Danish premier Rasmussen has transferred the case for investigation to the police and public proscuter.

Roj TV is only one of the many satellite stations that focuses on the Kurds. In South-Kurdistan (North-Iraq) the Kurdish parties KDP and PUK have their own channels, which are also watched by Kurds in Turkey, Syria and Iran and in their programs they take account of this. Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups in South-Kurdistan recently set up two tv-stations, a third Iranian-Kurdish station will soon start broadcasting from Paris.

"Satellite television has a big influence on Kurdish identity and culture," says Hassan Ghazi. In Turkey, Syria and Iran Kurdish nationalism and consciousness is looked upon with suspicion, that's only grown by the rising of an autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq. In Syria even speaking the language is forbidden, in Turkey and Iran there are Kurdish newspapers, but they are controversial and face difficulties because of their political contents.

Satellite TV doesn't have to do with those restrictions. "We know that people with a satellite dish in Turkey and Iran record our programs and then watch the tapes in group."

"Save Roj TV" does what the EU is after

On Internet the channel is supported by the Save Roj TV Initiative:http:// rojtv.blogspot.com The chairman of Mesopotamia Broadcast and lawyer Henrik Winkel, denies Turkish allegations of ties with the PKK.

Other contributors on the website point to the fact, that the channel perfectly fits in the demands that the EU has for Turkey: that the Kurdish minority gets tv and radio in their own language. The website criticizes the way Turkey is doing this. Kurdish channels for instance must use subtitles to all programs and that makes live shows impossible. That's the power of foreign Kurdish channels: discussions where viewers can talk too.

Source: Trouw/Judit Neurink
Translated : by Vladimir van Wilgenburg

Sunday, March 26, 2006

ROJ TV ranks among the most viewed TV outlets

According to an survey conducted by Wan University ROJ TV ranks among the most viewed TV outlets .

In the meantime the permission for limited broadcasting in kurdish was granted in Turkey , But ROJ TV which broadcasts daily, according to the conducted survey is the most viewed TV channel in Northern Kurdistan.

In the Survey compiled by the YUZUNCI YIL University of the city of WAN , 718 people were asked questions, the result of the survey shows that among all those channels which are watched in Kurdistan, ROJ TV comes in first rank.

In the whole of Turkey , the News channel NTV takes the first rank. Professor.dr. Sedat Cereci by evaluating the findings of the survey pointed out, ROJ TV has the capacity to take the top place of the most watched channels nationwide.

Source: ROJ TV News Centre

24.03.2006

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Gun TV: RTUK should make Changes in duration and content

AMED(DIHA) - Chief editor of Diyarbakir Gun TV Cemal Dogan by stating that to make broadcasting in a denied and rejected language is important although it is symbolic. He said '' We hope that RTUK by taking into consideration our demands about duration and content will make due changes in the regulation for a poitive process to develop''.

Cemal Dogan, chief editor of Gun TV which will make its first broadcast in Kurdish this night after waiting for its application 2 year for making broadcast in the languages besides Turkish, had made a written statement. Dogan reminded that according to regulation of RTUK about broadcasting in different languages, the televisions can make broadcasting not exceeding 45 minutes and 4 hour in a week and in radios not exceeding 1 hour a day, and in total 5 hours a week, emphasized that the duration is insufficient. He stated that:

'' The televisions are obliged to give subtitles in Turkish efficaously and subsequently should broadcast its Turkish translation, and radios are obliged to give its Turkish translation. Also the regulation again predicts that the broadcastings can be made only about presentation of traditional culture, news and music for adults in this languages and dialects. Broadcasting can not be made to teach this languages and dialects.''

Criticism of translation and subtitle

Dogan who stated that it is symbolically important to make programs in a language which was denied and rejected said that: '' But taking into consideration 10 television stations are broadcasting in Kurdish, 45 minute broadcasting, the obligation of translation and subtitle is only small step. We hope that RTUK by taking into consideration our demands about duration and content and will make contribution by making due changes in the regulation for a poitive process to develop''. Dogan thanked the people of Diyarbakir who lend their support to Kurdish broadcasting all the time.

23.03.2006
Source: www.kurdishinfo.com

Friday, March 24, 2006

The demand of Kurdish to be second official language in Bingol

BINGOL (DIHA) - In spite of intensive rain and snow thousands of people who rushed to field celebrated Newroz with enthusiasm had sounded their solution proposals and demands of peace. Kurdish to be official language was wanted.

The celebration of Newroz in Bingol which Democraric Society Party, IHD, KESK and Bingol Culture Art Cooperative had passed with enthusiasm. In spite of rainfall begun by night the people from Bingol had rushed to Field of Agriculture Faculty in the Uzunsavat Quarter. The rain which had intensified had turned to the snow.

Over 5 thousand people had watched Newroz in spite of intensive layer of mud.

The sounds of women

In the field which comprised mostly women the pancartes '' We will not let war'', '' We are women, mother and in favor of peace'', '' Democratic solution in Kurdish problem'' and '' The right of education in mother tongue should be given constitutional guarantees'' were hang on. The pancartes in Zazaki '' Newroz bumbarekbo'', İn Kurmanci '' Newroz piroz be'' and Turkish '' Newroz Kutlu olsun'' meaning '' Happy Newroz'' had taken attention.

Thousands of people who filled the field chanted '' PKK is people and people is here'', '' Viva chairman Apo'', '' Viva Peace'' and '' tooth for tooth blood for blood we are with you Ocalan'' and opened the flags of Democratic Confederalism.

Miroglu: Kurdish should be second language

The activity of Newroz had begun with homage. After the homage chairman of DTP Province Yavuz Kitay and Agency Secretary of Egitim-Sen Bingol Sahap Bolkan had made short speeches about meaning of Newroz. After Kitay and Bolkan member of DTP Party Assembly Orhan Miroglu had touched to education in mother tongue, general amnesty and election barrage.

Miroglu who stated that Kurds had sounded peace in all Newrozs said that '' Kurds had sounded again demands of peace in this Newroz and after this they will sound this demands with higher voice. Prime Minister instead of solving Kurdish problems with democratic ways contends with correspondent of ROJ TV in Europe. Instead of doing this he should find a solution to Kurdish problem. Kurdish language should be accepted as second official language.''

19.03.2006

Source : www.kurdishinfo.com

First Broadcasts in Kurdish Begin Today

By Cihan News Agency
Published: Thursday, March 23, 2006
zaman.com

On Thursday evening, two local televisions and one radio station will begin their Kurdish-language program broadcasts – the first time for private radio or television channels in Turkey to broadcast in a language other than Turkish.

Diyarbakir-based Gun and Soz televisions, and Sanliurfa-based Medya FM Radio station signed an approval agreement with the Radio Television Watchdog (RTUK) on Friday, March 17, which finally gave the go-ahead for the Kurdish-language programs.

Kurdish TV on air, but more needed

Turkish Daily News
Thursday, March 23, 2006

ANKARA - TDN with wire services

Two private regional television channels and a radio station will start limited Kurdish-language broadcasts for the first time in Turkey today.

"After many bureaucratic setbacks, we have finally won the right to broadcast in Kurdish," said Cemal Doğan, the head of Gün TV, one of the channels that will air programs in Kurdish.

The start of the broadcasts is seen by most Kurds as a first step toward paving the way for more comprehensive reforms on the Kurdish issue.

The leading pro-Kurdish party, the Democratic Society Party (DTP), wants a general amnesty, more cultural rights and autonomy for the Kurds and a lowering of the 10 percent threshold required to win seats in the Turkish Parliament.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Tomorrow is the new year!

We in Save ROJ TV have got lots of Season greetings from our callers. We wish them all happiness in the Kurdish New Year. The followiung is one of these greetings in English translation from Sewllawa in Eastern Kurdistan.

Tomorrow is the new year!

Last year and even the years before in such day,
we wished the given year be the year of achievement of Kurdish desires!
and this is a nasty repeat, a terrible tragedy.
No wish was achieved, and no prospect was realised,

That is why this year in Newroz with a doubtful heart, and an uncertain vision
I invite you to start a much more harder year!
I shake your hands, and salute your friendship for the past year
I wish your Newroz be full of Narcissus, and glories.

Salah Elmizadeh

19.03.2006

http://effat-sarwabad.persianblog.com

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

We Wish you a happy Newroz.

Newroz (New Day) is the start of spring season. In the course of the struggle of Kurdish people for human rights. Newroz has become a great symbol for expressing Kurdish identity.

In spite of all vain attempts to disrupt this celebration, Kurds in the days prior to 21 March start their festivities, they get together expressing their wishes for a free life in peace and understating with other people.

Newroz is celebrated not just by Kurds, but many other peoples in the Middle- East and elsewhere.

We Wish you a happy Newroz.

Save Roj TV Team

Monday, March 20, 2006

Vatis Narutle has left a new comment

"TELL THE TURKISH STATE: "DEAL WITH YOURSELF, DON'T BULLY!":

Hello dear sir!
My name is vatis narutle, and i want to thank you for posting such a meaningfull piece of literature. Your views move me, as i am too a Kurd. You should definitely keep up the good work!! ( p.s. i think you should be on Oprah!) i am looking forward to future peices written by you! Thank you again!

Sincerely,

Vatis Narutle

Deniz bayindir has left a new comment "Save ROJ TV, the Kurdish satellite TV ":

roj tv kapanmasi ozgurluk cercevesinde yer almayan bir davranis...lutfen kardeslik esitlik yonunde yol alalim ve kurd halkinin media ozgurlugune dokunmayalim!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

( English translation reads)To ask for Roj TV to be closed down has no place in the framework of liberty.

Pleas take the way of fraternity and equality and do not disturbe Kurdish people's media freedom

Jerry gould has left a new comment"Save ROJ TV, the Kurdish satellite TV ":

45 minutes of broadcasting in kurdish to the kurds of turkey is a good indicator of why turkey should never be accepted in the E U C. their attitude to the kurds reflect how insecure they are.

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Private Kurdish broadcasts kick off in Turkey next week

DIYARBAKIR, Kurdistan-Turkey, March 17, 2006 (AFP) - 18h05 - Two private regional television channels and a radio station will start brief Kurdish-language broadcasts for the first time in Turkey next week.

Executives from Gun TV, Soz TV and Medya FM, all based in the mainly Kurdish southeast, signed a deal with Turkey's broadcasting watchdog on Friday to begin airing their programs from Thursday, Gun TV's manager Cemal Dogan told AFP.

The existing laws limit the broadcasts to 45 minutes a day and four hours a week for television stations and to one hour a day and five hours a week for radio channels, he explained.

They also require the broadcasters to run subtitles in Turkish.

"These restrictions should be lifted," Dogan said. "But still, this is a positive step forward -- a small step for us but a great step for Turkey."

Under pressure to comply with the democracy norms of the European Union, Turkey began Kurdish-language broadcasts on state television in 2004, a taboo-breaking move in a country where even speaking Kurdish was banned less than 15 years ago.

Ankara has long feared that expanding Kurdish freedoms could fuel nationalist sentiment among the minority and embolden Kurdish rebels who have waged a bloody campaign for self-rule in the southeast since 1984.

Gun TV's first Kurdish-language program will be a documentary about the cultural and historic heritage of Diyarbakir, the main city of the southeast, where the station is based, Dogan said.

Soz TV, also based in Diyarbakir, plans to air a program on Kurdish traditions, while Medya FM, broadcasting from Sanliurfa, will start with a news bulletin and music, the Anatolia news agency reported.

Kurdish channels broadcasting either from Europe or neighboring northern Iraq are already widely watched in the region, where satellite dishes have become a fixture of the landscape.

AFP

Saturday, March 18, 2006

The prediction of Mr. Mehmet Ali Birand

Turkish Daily News, Friday, 17 March 2006

"Instead of fighting Roj TV…:

In this current climate, it's impossible for Turkey to get Denmark-based Roj TV closed down.

Even if we manage to do so, it will start broadcasting the next day under another name.

For years we didn't allow any radio or television broadcasts in Kurdish. We still don't. As a result, the people of the Southeast have come to enjoy Kurdish television, starting from Med TV, which broadcast PKK propaganda. They are not too bothered by the propaganda because for the region's people the PKK is not a terrorist organization. It is an organization that is defending its rights through the use of arms. So they aren't bothered. Even those who are bothered by the propaganda enjoy the Kurdish music and programs on Roj TV.

If Turkey had allowed local television broadcasts while banning separatist content, then Roj TV's importance would have been much less. It's late, but we can still do something.

The current policy is useless.

If we allow local channels to broadcast in Kurdish, Roj TV will lose significant influence. "

Friday, March 17, 2006

إرفعوا أياديكم عن قناة روز ROJ TV

معلوم أن العالم قد دخل في مرحلة جديدة من تاريخه الحديث منذ الهجمة الإرهابية الانتحارية على نيويورك وواشنطن في 11/9/2001، بحيث دخل العالم في صراع جديد بين قوى "الديموقراطية " وقوى "الإرهاب"، مما أفسح المجال أمام الحكومة التركية لكي تٌظهر نفسها وكأنها الجندي المتقدم في ساحة هذه الحرب الجديدة ضد الإرهاب، وذلك على الرغم من أن تركيا نفسها قد تحولت منذ تسعينات القرن الماضي إلى ما يٌسمى ب"الدولة الواطئة" المحكومة من قبل الجنرالات وقادة الباراميليتاريا الخفية منها والعلنية. وهاهي الأن "تنبه" العالم ظلماً وعدواناً إلى خطورة كل ماهو كوردي، حتى ولو كان هذا "الخطر" قناة تلفزيونية مثل قناة روج (ROJ) التي جريمتها الكبرى هي أنها قناة للكرد ولمن يعيش معهم في وطنهم، من أقليات قومية ودينية...
إن أي متتبع لبرامج هذه القناة التي يمكن للجميع متابعتها في الشرق الأوسط وأوروبا وبلدان كثيرة أخرى، يرى تنوعها الثقافي واللغوي والبرامجي.. والقائمون على هذه القناة يمكن لهم الاثبات بأنها أقامت مئات البرامج الحوارية لأطراف وأشخاص ذوي أفكار متباينة ومواقف مختلفة من القضايا السياسية الكوردية والشرق أوسطية والعالمية، وهناك سلسلة طويلة من البرامج الثقافية والفنية وبلغات عديدة، كما أنها قناة تمنح المجال الكبير للمرأة لتعبر عن رأيها في الحياة والسياسة والأدب والفن... إنها قناة ملتزمة بالإنسان ومشاكله، بكوردستان وتطلعاتها، بالأقليات وحقوقها الدينية والقومية، وبالحوار بين الكورد وغيرهم.... فأي إرهاب هذا الذي تزعمه الحكومة التركية وتحاول اقناع العالم به والحال هذه؟...
نحن كلنا مقتنعون بأن حرية الإعلام والنشر وابداء الرأي والرأي المخالف أساس ثابت للحرية والديموقراطية وحقوق الإنسان في كل مكان، وأن للكوردي الحق في إيصال صوته ومشاكل شعبه إلى العالم كغيره من البشر، وأن الحضارة الغربية التي قامت على الديموقراطية والحرية لم تكن لتصبح قوية بهذا الشكل الحالي دون حرية إعلام، ودون أن تحمي حكوماتها هذه الحرية بقوة وفي إطر قوانين تحددها وتحميها.
فإذا كنت مقتنعا بأنه لا يمكن استثناء أحد من التنعم بالحرية والديموقراطية وحقوق الإنسان، وقبل كل شيء بحق النشر والإعلام وابداء الرأي في عالمنا هذا، فنأمل منك أن تضم صوتك إلى الأصوات المطالبة بفضح سياسة الدولة التركية القائمة على ممارسات عنصرية تجاه القوميات الأخرى، ومحاولاتها الهادفة إلى عزل الكورد وكبت صوتهم ومنع إيصاله إلى الرأي العام العالمي، من خلال هجومها الساحق وغير العادل على الأقنية التلفزيونية الكوردية ، وبخاصة (قناة روج تفي) ، بعد أن فشلت في حجبها على الشارع الكوردي.
يمكنكم اضافة اسمائكم عبر البريد الالكتروني: rojava@rojava.net

الموقعون:

1- Qado Şêrîn /Nivîskar - Holland
2- Inayat diko/Hunermend-Germany
3- Nezîr Palo /Helbestvan -Germany
4- Abdulbaqî Huseynî /Nivîskar Norwegen-
5- Merwan Alî /Nivîskar-Germany
6- Awaz Kalo
7- Can Kurd /Nivîskar - Germany
8- Ahmad Eimo /Germany
9- Selîm Biçûk /Nivîskar - Germany
10- Tariq Hemo /Rojnamevan-Germany
11- Muhsin Cewamîr /Nivîskar - Swed
12- Dilyar Dêrikî /Helbestvan - Holland
13- Ebrahim Ebrahim /Nivîskar
14- Kemal Necim /Helbestvan
15- Seîd Mistefa /Economist-Australia
16- Ciwna Mistefa /Marketing-Australia
17- Mehfûza Xelef /Australia
18- Barzan Şêxmûs
19- Adnan Şêxmûs
20- Xebatkarên www.amude.info
21- Sebri Silevani /Nivîskar
22- Helîm Yûsiv /Nivîskar
23- Abdulsetar Nûr Elî /Nivîskar - Swed
24- Orhan Beyar /Nivîskar - Hisiçe
25- Wijdan Dêrikî /Rojnamevan - London
26- Reşad Şeref /Çîroknivîs - Şam
27- Omer Koçerî /Nivîskar - Şam
28- Selah Welo /Malpera Derbesiye - Swêsra
29- Adil Xelef /Şêwekar - Şam
30- GURO /Şêwekar - Şam
31- Abdê Caco /Helestvan - Şam
32- Heval Yûsiv Nivîskar/wergervan - Şam
33- Nezîr Cezmatî Nivîskar/Lêkolînvan - Şam
34- Desteya şevên çandî yên kurdî /Şam
35- Kovara Leylan /Sûriya
36- Hoşeng Osê /Nivîskar/Helbestvan - Şam
37- Nezîr Melle /Helbestvan - Germany
38- Azer Osê/Helbestvan - Germany
39- Reşîd Hesso/Şêwekar - Germany
40- Mesûd Iko/Rojnamevan
41- Abdulkadir Musa /Helbestvan - Germany
42- Mustefa Ismayîl /Helbestvan/nivîskar
43- Faraj Baslo/Helbestvan - LA.CA.USA
44- IDRIS OMAR/Germany
45- Ejder Şêxo/Rojnamevan
46- Husên M. Hebeş/Helbestvan - Germany
47- Aref Gabeau/Malpera Efrin. net
48- Imer Kalo/Holland
49- Selah Ehme
50- Bawermend Kurdaxî /Xwendekar - Rûsiya
51- Nezir Silo/Niviskar
52- Baban Seqizî
53- Ferhad Ehmê/Rojnamevan - Germany
54- Ibrahîm Elyûsiv /Nivîskar
55- Ehmed Heyder /Nivîskar
56- Îvan Muhemed
57- Mesûd Dîwanî/Nivîskar
58- Siyamend Dîwanî
59- Komela Şêxê Şehîd Maşûq Elxeznewî
60- Komela Sêşema Elqafî الثلاثاء القافي
61- Desteya Kovara Elmewasim
62- Maf – Encumana Mafê Mirov Kurd Li Sûrî
63- Rêxistina Ray ya mafê mirovê sûrî
64- Şiyar Şêx Seîd/Rojnamevan
65- Siyamend Mîrzo/Nivîskar
66- Necla Ibrahîm
67- Komela Şehîd Ferhad muhemed Sebrî
68- HISEN QADIRKO
69- Miço Kendes /Dengbêj - Swîsera
70- Desteya Malpera Maf
71- Desteya Malpera Keskesor
72- Ebdulrehman Efîf/Wergêr- Helbestvan
73- Selîm Hesen /Lubnan-Xwendevanê zankoyê
74- Dr Khaled ISSA /Paris - Avocat
75- Dr Azad CHAHIN/Paris - Médecin
76- Satar BABAKHAN/Paris - Juriste
77- Hanin CHAHIN/Paris - Ingénieur
78- Judith Wolf/Kurdolog - Germany
79- Ehmed Abdulkarîm /Xwendekar - Ferensa
80- Mihmûd Elî Silo/Dr.pedyator ji Fernsayê
81- Binyad Ceziri/Rojnemevan - Viena
82- Alan Hesaf/Şam
83- Şîrwan Ibrahîm/Kocka 12 Adarê - Holland
84- Amşa Ibrahîm/Mamoste - Holland
85- Heyder Omer/Nivîskar - Germany
86- Dr. Şaban Mizori/Sweden
87- Newaf Xelîl/Rojnamevan
88- Meşal Temo/Pêvdanê şepêla pêşeroja kurdî
89- Ahmad Şêxo/Xebatkar
90- Hoşeng Broka/Helbestvan
91- Hoşin Omar/Belçika
92- Zuhêr Kazim Ebûd/Nivîskar/Dadger - Swed
93- Cano/Şêwekar - Germany
93- Catherine Bachellerie/Wergervan - Swîsera
94- Hesen Mele/Koçka 12 Adarê
95- Hesen Resûl/siwîsra
96- Bêwar Bêkes/Holland
97- Cano şakir/Hunermend
98- Dîlan Zêbo/Helbestvan Germany
99- Cemal Milli
100-Salar Ibrahim/Malpera Qamislo.info
101- Salua Hasan
102- Zubêr Salih/Hunermend-Germany
103- Desteya malpera kurdroj.com
104- Haytham Manna Paris
105- Moncef Marzouki Tunisia
106- Violette Daguerre Paris
107- Philipe Wesporde Lyon
108- Sylvie Deplus Paris

Global Voices On Line

Wednesday, March 8th, 2006
Kurdistance: Middle East & North Africa, Iran, Iraq , Syria, Turkey, Weblog Save RojTV writes about a new letter campaign they began to save their television station in Mardin (Northern Kurdistan, Southeast Turkey). Their long list of supporters continue to grow including Kurdish author Handren:

This national awakening of the Kurds towards Kurdish Language and identity is a respond to the Turkish states violation of human rights, and it wont stop. Turkey can't shut down the voice of Roj TV, and continue with its policy of human right violation, whilst trying to become a member of the democratic society.

Deborah Ann Dilley

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Save ROJ TV, the Kurdish satellite TV

There has been a systematic campaign, organised by the Turkish authorities, to compel European countries (particularly Denmark) to prevent free and democratic Kurdish broadcasting. Their aim is to close down the independent Kurdish Satellite channel, ROJ TV. These attempts coincide with the European Union's efforts to promote democratic reform and free broadcasting in Turkey. We, the undersigned, condemn the Turkish Government's anti democratic campaign. We urge the Danish Government and European Union member states to resist Turkish pressure and protect free speech in Europe and Turkey.

Signatories

Please provide your signature in form of a comment to this call (in any language), by clicking on the comment link below, Thank you for your effort!
Please choose the option "other" at the "comment" section, then provide your fullname and possible web page before you submit your comment. Comments without fullname will not be posted, Thank you

Kurdish Radio-TV Broadcasts Start

Broadcasts in languages other than Turkish will begin after a signature ceremony to be held soon. Television and radio watchdog RTUK has granted permission to Diyarbakir's "Gun TV" and "Soz TV" and Sanliurfa's "Media FM" to broadcast programs in Kurdish.

BIA News Center

10/03/2006 Erol ONDEROGLU

BİA (Istanbul) - The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) has granted permission to three local media organizations in Southeastern Turkey to broadcast programs in Kurdish.

RTUK and officials from the three local televisions, Diyarbakir's "Gun TV" (Day TV) and "Soz TV" (Word TV) and Sanliurfa's "Media FM" will be signing a letter of commitment in the coming days. After the signature ceremony, the televisions will be able to broadcast programs in the Kirmanchi and Zaza dialects of Kurdish.

Dogan: We will start broadcasts in mid-March

Cemal Dogan, the general manager of "Gun TV," who told bianet he met with RTUK authorities, said all their preparations were completed for Kurdish broadcasts and added they would begin broadcasts in mid-March after the signing of the letter of commitment.

Two years after the regulation on broadcasts in different languages and dialects, television stations will be able to broadcast programs in languages and dialects other than Turkish, and with Turkish subtitles, for 45 minutes per day and a total of four hours per week. Radio stations will be able to broadcast such programs, together with translations, for an hour each day and a total of five hours per week.

A total of 12 media organizations have applied to RTUK in the last two years for permissions to broadcast programs locally and regionally in languages other than Turkish. Four of the 12 have completed all the necessary documentation. (EO/EA/YE)

Monday, March 13, 2006

WE WAITED FOR THIS?

Saturday, March 11, 2006

By: Mizgîn

"There is nothing wrong with your television. Do not attempt to adjust the picture."

~ The Outer Limits, 1963.

Last Thursday, with great fanfare, the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) announced approval of Kurdish-Language broadcasting in Turkish-occupied Kurdistan.

Well, I'm being facetious about the "great fanfare" thing, especially since the idea of Kurdish-language broadcasting was first introduced by RTUK in 2002. I guess they have dragged feet long enough to create an embarrassment. That may explain why a couple of items in TDN about Kurdish-language broadcasting were published this last week. The first is a short one:

ANKARA – Turkish Daily News

The Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTÜK) has approved broadcasts in Kurdish for two television channels in Diyarbakır -- Gün TV and Söz TV -- and a radio station in Şanlıurfa, Medya FM, the Anatolia news agency reported.

The channels will only be able to start their broadcasts after signing a protocol.

Turkey, working toward European Union membership, changed its laws in 2002 to allow limited broadcasts in Kurdish and other minority languages, and state television has been airing programs in two Kurdish dialects for a half-hour each week.

As part of EU-oriented reforms, Parliament in 2002 also granted limited rights for Kurdish to be taught at private language institutions. Although Kurds at first welcomed the schools as a first step toward greater rights, these schools have since closed down due to dwindling interest and Kurdish demands for the language to be part of the regular state school curriculum.

The second item is a bit longer, reiterating the same information with these remarks included:

According to law, radio stations can broadcast in local dialects five hours a week and at most one hour a day. Programs in local dialects can be broadcast four hours a week and at most 45 minutes a day on television stations. All television broadcasts in Kurdish need Turkish subtitles, which channels argue imposes severe technical difficulties.

[ . . . . ]

Some stations have also complained that under the board's regulations, broadcasts would be limited to 45 minutes a day. The station would not be able to air live broadcasts because of regulations that require Turkish-language subtitles.

KurdishInfo carried some additional information in reference to the protocol that the Kurdish stations had to agree to (as well as posting a great photo to illustrate the situation--take a look at the link):

"We will accept and commit not to broadcast in other languages/dialects that we don't attest, to declare before and not to change the daily, monthly and yearly broadcasting plans, that we attest, not to accommodate any other symbols, except voice effect, studio formation, present logo and voice signs that we use during the broadcast in other languages/dialects, if it will be necessary to use the symbols of Turkish Government, in these languages and dialects, to broadcast only for adults, to make broadcasts about news, music, general public health, creating the ecological consciousness, addition to house economy, economy, sport, magazine, agriculture and stock-breeding, introducing of traditional culture, not to broadcast intended for the teaching these languages and dialects"

All of these restrictions and censorship remind me of the tagline to an old American television program from the 1960s: "There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We can reduce the focus to a soft blur, or sharpen it to crystal clarity. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear."

I wonder if RTUK would approve the use of this tagline for Gün and Söz to run at the beginning of their daily 45 minutes of broadcasting?

There is a problem with the "dwindling interest" claim of Kurdish-language schools. Sure, Kurds were excited about the prospect of having Kurdish-language schools years ago when the first big noise came from Ankara that they would be allowed. The schools were then seen through rose-colored glasses as being a sign of "progress." What could be the reason for the claim of "dwindling interest?"

Let's see. . . how about 70% unemployment coupled with a cost of $75/month for tuition in the adults-only Kurdish-language schools?

Check out this The Washington Times report:

During the tea break at the private language school, there is no talk of separation or rebellion. The heated discussion focuses on the cost of tuition, roughly $75 a month and more than most can afford. Seventy percent of the students are unemployed, estimated Suleyman Yilmaz, the school's director.

Most people would rather just continue learning from their parents or meet in neighbors' homes, said Mr. Ozeydin, the teacher. The government is using this low turnout to create an image that no one wants to learn Kurdish and as a justification for not extending Kurdish cultural rights, he added.

"Why should we have to pay to learn our mother tongue?" Mr. Ozeydin asked.

And this AFP report, carried on KurdishMedia :

In the shanty towns of Diyarbakir, the central city of the southeast, unemployment is estimated at about 70 percent, crime is skyrocketing and brothels -- unthinkable a decade ago in the rigidly conservative region -- are mushrooming.

[ . . . . ]

Forty-five percent of young educated people in the southeast are jobless, while the region's average unemployment rate is 21.6 percent, according to 2003 statistics. Both figures are the country's highest, roughly double the national average.

And this Christian Science Monitor report:

In Diyarbakir, where the population has tripled over the past 15 years, fed by the arrival of hundreds of thousands of villagers who had fled the fighting between the PKK and the military, local officials say poverty and unemployment have led to a host of worrying trends, including prostitution and drug use. The city of 1.2 million also has what some estimate to be Turkey's largest population of street children.

"The people in this region are asking why this region has no factories. They look at other regions and ask why they have state-sponsored industries and irrigation," says Firat Anli, a district mayor in Diyarbakir.

All this bad news is just for Amed. Other pl

aces, like Hekarî are in worse situations.

It seems like the opposite trend is working in the Kurdish diaspora, because there is no "dwindling interest" of Kurdish-language instruction, publishing or broadcasting in diaspora. There are Kurdish-language websites, a Kurdish-language Wikipedia, more Kurdish-language satellite TV channels gearing up for broadcast, Kurdish-language computer programs and applications.

Geez, do you think it could be because Kurds in diaspora are not suffering 70% unemployment, with all its attendant ills? Don't expect me to go along with Ankara's BS job hidden under the phrase, "dwindling interest."

I'm not the only one who's a skeptic. Looks like Nazlan Ertan at The New Anatolian is a bit of a skeptic too.

Let's face it. The whole control thing with Kurdish-language broadcasting, in reality, has nothing to do with "separatism," "rebellion," or the big, bad, omniscient, omni-present, omnipotent PKK. It isn't even about control of Kurds per se.

It's really all about a totalitarian system that fears itself.

That is why the Turkish constitution is designed to protect the state and not the people. That is why "denigrating" Turkishness is a crime. That is why free and independent Kurdish-language broadcasting, such as that provided by Roj TV is a threat. It's all about fear.

"We now return control of your television set back to you . . . "

Source : http://rastibini.blogspot.com

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Comment on Viladimir van Wilgenburg's appearance on Roj TV show

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Jaff during one of his live radio talk shows on 101.5FM

I found the exclusive interview with the young Dutch man, Vladimir van Wilgenburg on Roj TV absolutely incredible. To me, success is not what one is good at doing, but what one is good at and enjoys doing, which is the first impression Vladimir was able to give to the viewers during his interview with Hesen Qazi on Ruwange. He was passionate about what he was talking about and was articulate in his responses and the points he was getting across.

I have to say that by the end of the interview, I had even greater appreciation for Vladimir than I did originally. I admired his commitment to doing what he likes and the fact that he is taking time away from his study and family; and instead, dedicating it to the Kurdish cause across the world, particularly in the Middle East where the majority of them are suffering.

In my opinion, the entire interview was very well-organized and well presented. I deemed the dialogue very inspiring and am almost certain that it has had great impact on many Kurdish as well as non-Kurdish viewers to really exert themselves and become educated about the discrimination, massacre, racism and genocide the Kurds have been facing for decades behind the scenes; at the hands of certain nation-states in the Middle East. I respect the fact that Vladimir has made the efforts to go that extra mile and break many barriers at least to be an echo of the Kurdish voice and struggle, if not the voice itself.

With myself being a newscaster and a radio talk show host, I also thought the presenter of Ruwange, Hesen Qazi, did a good job with respect to the nature and the order in which he asked the questions. I admired the fact that Mr.Qazi got somewhat personal with Vladimir by asking about his family and education life. It was interesting to know how Vladimir has been having the time to do what he does and loves doing and so forth; such personal questions create a stronger bond between the interviewee and the audience by allowing the audience to relate to the person and topics of discussion.

Although the interpretation/translation was done phenomenally from English to Kurdish, I did think; however, the interview should have been completely in English since Mr.Qazi seemed to speak English quite well, but with Kurmanji and Sorani dialects of Kurdish as subtitles at the bottom of the screen. To some extent, it was rather difficult to comprehend everything being said because of Vladimir's voice himself speaking in English and the interpretation being done in Kurdish, both at the same time. It was hard on the ear to distinguish and follow up with only one of the two languages when they were both quite audible. If it were done the way I have specified, more people would have been able to understand and tune in. Some Kurds only understand the Kurmanji dialect, but the interpretation was done solely in the Sorani dialect. At the same time, the English-speaking viewers would have been able to understand what was said more easily without difficulty, if it were subtitled Kurdish instead.

Bottom line, you have been doing a great job, Vladimir. I wish you all the success in life.

Source : http://vladimirkurdistan.blogspot.com

Saturday, March 11, 2006

The subjects of insects will be discussed in the broadcast in Kurdish language

AMED (09.03.2006)- Diyarbakir Gun TV, Soz TV and Urfa Medya FM, which are preparing to broadcast in Kurdish, will give a guarantee in the commitment that they will sign with RTUK (Radio Television High Committee) for that they will make their broadcasts only for adults and they will create an ecological consciousness in their programs.

Diyarbakir Gun TV, Soz TV and Urfa Medya FM will give a guarantee by the commitment of RTUK for "The broadcasts about different languages and dialects of Turkish Citizens that they use in their daily life customary".

The commitment, which the publishers give guarantee for not to contravene, is like this; "We will accept and commit not to broadcast in other languages/dialects that we don't attest, to declare before and not to change the daily, monthly and yearly broadcasting plans, that we attest, not to accommodate any other symbols, except voice effect, studio formation, present logo and voice signs that we use during the broadcast in other languages/dialects, if it will be necessary to use the symbols of Turkish Government, in these languages and dialects, to broadcast only for adults, to make broadcasts about news, music, general public health, creating the ecological consciousness, addition to house economy, economy, sport, magazine, agriculture and stock-breeding, introducing of traditional culture, not to broadcast intended for the teaching these languages and dialects"

Source : Kurdish Info

Sela Sor

Sela Sor is the most long lasting feature and talk show program in the history of Kurdish Satellite television. The show which is produced and presented by Cahit Merwan brings together holders of different views to refect their opinion on the topics under discussion. The analysis and objective approach to political, social issues and current events had made the show very popular among Kurdish and Turkish viewrs. We congratulate our colleague Cahit Merwan and his team on the occasion of 10th anniversay of Sela Sor.

Save ROJ TV Team

10.03.2006

Friday, March 10, 2006

EU Steps Back, Turkey Allows Native Tongue Broadcasts

By Emre Demir, Strasbourg
Published: Thursday, March 09, 2006
zaman.com

Turkey's Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) have given permission for three local channels to broadcast programs nonstop in Kurdish.

However, several European Union countries prefer the limitation of minority language broadcasts, even though the EU set granting permission for Kurdish broadcasts as a precondition to start full membership negotiations. Greece does not permit Turkish broadcasts, while Denmark and Sweden ended Turkish broadcasting on the state radio in February.

Germany was previously criticized after it approved the report of the Committee of Ministers at the Council of Europe, since it did not allow the required duration of programs broadcast in minority languages.

Several minority groups in France find television broadcasts in their native languages inadequate; with programs broadcast in the Occitan language gaining approval to broadcast 45 minutes a week, and the Catalan language for just five minutes. Weekly broadcasting in Breton, which is common language in northern France, was suspended in February due to a lack of interest. Greece is one of the countries rejecting the contract. The country does not approve the broadcast any minority languages on either television or in radio, even though it is an EU member country. Several languages such as Turkish, Macedonian, and Albanian in particular are spoken in the country.

In the meantime, Turkish radio broadcasts have recently ended in Europe. Weekly Turkish broadcasting on Swedish State Radio was canceled.

"Merhaba" (Hello) radio broadcasting in Sweden for 29 years was closed down "due to the lack of audience;" while Kurdish programs continue to broadcast daily. Denmark is another country ending its Turkish program broadcasts, too.

The Copenhagen government ended Turkish programs broadcast on state radio in early 2006 due to budget cuts.

According to the report prepared by the Council of Europe Regional and Local Democracy Committee, several countries particularly Germany and the Netherlands lack local broadcasting in minority native languages.

The Council called on Greece and France, following harsh policies on minorities, to sign the contract. Turkey has not yet signed the European Regional and Minority Native Language Contract that legally ensures education and broadcasting rights for minority languages in the country. Apart from Turkey, countries also yet to sign the contract are France, Belgium, Greece, and Luxembourg.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Language as a form of identity, language as a broadcasting right

Nazlan Ertan (nazlanertan@thenewanatolian.com)

If you're one of those who've followed with enthusiasm -- and some hope -- the story of broadcasts in other languages than Turkish at a local level, you might feel momentarily happy over the announcements in the last few weeks that these broadcasts will be allowed this month.

Don't hold your breath.

Broadcasts in "mother tongues" or "local dialects" -- used in Turkey as a clever euphemism to avoid "minority languages" -- have long been on Turkey's agenda since the country, under heavy European Union pressure, passed a the Broadcasts in Languages Other Than Turkish Law in January 2004.

Since then the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) has been broadcasting in several languages -- Zaza, Kurmanji, Arabic, Circassian and Bosnian -- but these, under the present law, remain limited both in time and in scope. Broadcasts in mother tongues, for example, may include news programs but not children's programs.

Under the present law, private nationwide channels, such as CNN-TURK and NTV, may make limited broadcasts in languages other than Turkish. These stations, however, said that they have no such plans because it's not economically viable.

Obviously the sticky point in the law was about private local TV and radio channels. Broadcasts in local languages, by definition, would only be economically viable and logical at a local level. Some 10 radio and television stations have applied. One of them, Gun TV, applied almost two years ago.

The delay stems from two reasons. First, and possibly the most easily explicable, is the paperwork involved. The second one lies in a temporary article of the 2004 law which authorizes the Supreme Council of Radio and Television (RTUK) to implement the law and determine the need for broadcasts in mother tongues.

RTUK has claimed, for the past year, that it wants a profile study to determine which local dialects are used and where. Until we have a comprehensive linguistic map, said RTUK, no allocations will be made.

It's unclear why such a profile is necessary. Inquiries to local authorities should provide RTUK with adequate information, if it's absolutely necessary. Why not simply assume that when there's an application to broadcasts in a certain language, there's clearly a linguistic community? Does one realistically expect a TV company to apply to broadcast in Bosnian in Sirnak or in Laz in Diyarbakir?

And if they're unable to fulfill the expectations of the audience or there's no interest, will they not simply go out of business, just like Kurdish-language courses have?

Both international observers and the Turkish public find it hard to believe that since 2004 none of the 11 broadcasters have yet completed the paperwork. What seems to be the case is that there's reluctance on the part of RTUK so as to delay those broadcasts as much as possible.

Within that framework, is the recent declaration that broadcasts will be allowed in March a false alarm? Or does it mean that RTUK, with its new staff, is becoming a more progressive body, finally?

Source : The New Anatolian

NTV/NSNBC - "Four regional TV stations to begin broadcasts in Kurdish"

Akman said that 12 local radio and television networks had applied for permission to broadcast in Kurdish.

DIYARBAKIR / 2 March 2006

Four local television networks would begin broadcasting in Kurdish in March, the head of Turkey's electronic media watchdog said late Wednesday.

Speaking during a visit to the regional office of the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) in the south eastern city of Diyarbakir, RTUK chairman Zahit Akman said that the beginning of broadcasts on private networks would be a first in Turkey. However, he warned that the broadcasts would be monitored by RTUK for breaches of the broadcasting laws.

Akman said that regulations for broadcasting in mother tongue languages had been prepared before they took office and that under the regulations television networks would be able to broadcast in Kurdish for a total of four hours per week and no more 45 minutes in a day. Akman said that as for radio broadcasts the limits had been set at five hours a week and no more than one hour a day.

Source : flash-Bulletin

www.flash-bulletin.de

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Chairman of METV A/S and ROJ TV A/S

Henrik C. Winkel, Lawyer
Carl Baggers Allé 32,DK- 2920 Chl

METV A/S
Mesopotamia Broadcast
H.C. Andersens Boulevard 39
1553 Copenhagen V

Copenhagen , February 2nd 2006 Journal no.: 4702-hcW

Re: ROJ TV

As chairman of METV A/S and ROJ TV A/S I have been requested to expound the situation in connection with the accusation made against ROJ TV concerning the alleged economic relation with the PKK.

Till the present moment we have not been confronted with the case from the police point of view and we have received no material related to it nor the notification submitted to the police.

I have contacted both the Public Prosecutor and the District Attorney of Copenhagen, Michael Jørgensen, who is in charge of the investigation, and in writing I have made informed the authorities that ROJ TV, the accountant of the company and the undersigned will be at their disposal with any kind of information that we shall be able to procure.

It is obvious that the case has a political aspect which certainly plays an important role, and this is reinforced by the situation recently created with the drawings in the daily Jyllandsposten. To this must be added that the Public Prosecutor reportedly from American authoriries has received some material to clarify the allegations upon which the all the accusations submitted to the police are based. Nor have we seen any of this material.

As you will know METV and ROJ TV are managed according to common business principles, but the transmissions are of course specifically aimed at Kurdish citizens, a circumstance which is also reflected in the wording used in the transmissions.

From the beginning has been clearly stated that METV and ROJ TV will not have any political aim, but solely transmits news, entertainment, children and debate programmes and therefore would be a support for the Kurds irrespectively of in which country they be residents.

From the beginning both METV and ROJ TV have enjoyed the support of the Kurds residing in Denmark, and the Middle East, which has been necessary altogether to start up these transmissions. This support is still a factor that and constitutes a decisive contribution to the total economy.

There were never any conditions attached to the contributions to METV and ROJ TV and there is absolutely no relation, be it derect or indirect with PKK, as some Turkish authorities have claimed. And we must therefore rebut and reject the allegations submitted as devoid of any reality.

We remain calm awaiting the result of the investigation which the police is undertaking just now and as already stated our sole interest is contributing to clarifying to the fullest extent the circumstances.

At this moment it is not possible to say when the case can be closed, but I presume this will happen within a foreseeable future.

In case further information should be desired I a shall of course be at your disposal.

Kind regards

Henrik C. Winkel

Save ROJ TV