All European circles label the Kurdish station as a huge step forward and call on the government to continue its reform process. EU officials talking to Today’s Zaman say they see the launch of the channel as a strong signal that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) could be resuming reforms that are much needed to keep Turkey-EU ties afloat during this critical year. However, several European deputies warn Turkish authorities that the channel should not be a mouthpiece of state propaganda.
EU Commission Spokesperson Amadeu Altafaj Tardio said the Commission welcomed the start of broadcasting in the Kurdish language, and the implementation of the amendments to the law on the Turkish Broadcasting Company (TRT). “This is a positive step which improves pluralism and cultural rights in Turkey. The Commission has consistently encouraged Turkey to promote cultural rights, for example in the Accession Partnership, which calls for improved access to radio and TV broadcasting in languages other than Turkish,” the spokesperson said.
Cem Özdemir, a European parliamentarian and the leader of the German Greens, said it was a late but a most welcome and important step. “This is proven by the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party [PKK] threats to Kurdish singers, actors and intellectuals who would contribute to the channel.
I hope this channel will not be used for state propaganda. In that case, the chance of reaching masses will be lost at the very beginning. Another hope I want to convey is that broadcasting could be done by private channels soon in Kurdish, Arabic, Circassian and Zaza as well," Özdemir suggested. He also said it was a highly symbolic step as a taboo is falling apart. "And I cannot help but ask, 'Was it worth so much agony and pain?' When will Kurdish be put on the curricula of schools and universities? I know that it is a matter of time. Somebody should answer this question: Was it worth so much pain?"
Joost Lagendijk, co-chairman of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, also said the new channel is an important step forward. "A lot of us expected speedier action after the law was amended some years ago. Ten years ago nobody would believe that a 24-hour channel in Kurdish would be broadcast by TRT. Everyone will be closely following the channel, and we hope that besides programs on nature, documentaries, entertainment, it will also host political programs as well. So the success of the channel will, to a great extent, depend on the content of the programs," he noted. He said the Kurdish channel was recognition of the past mistakes. "Even retired generals admitted this in [Fikret] Bila's book. I am unhappy both with [the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party] DTP and [the Republican People's Party] CHP's reactions. It is a highly unfortunate reaction from the DTP not to attend the opening of the channel. The PKK's reaction is totally ludicrous," he said.
He also said he hoped this was a signal that the AK Party is getting back to its reform agenda. "This could reverse the perception in Brussels that the AK Party has once and for all given up the reforms. I will call this step revolutionary when the candidates from the AK party and the DTP for local elections in Diyarbakır can debate their programs on this channel. Until then I am bit cautious," he said.
Hannes Swoboda, vice-chairman of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, said: "When we were in Ankara several weeks ago, Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan told us about the channel. Some of us were skeptical whether the prime minister would keep his promise. We are very, very happy that promise has been kept. It is a very, very strong signal and a big step forward." He also criticized the DTP and the CHP, which have brought different criticisms against the channel based on their ideological viewpoints. "Everyone can say anything she or he wants, but it does not change the fact that a Kurdish channel is finally on the air in Turkey. And this is very, very important," Swoboda said.
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