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

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