(IPI/IFEX) – IPI is strongly condemning the jamming of transmissions from the London-based Kurdish-language satellite television station, Med TV, by the Turkish authorities. **For background to harassment of Med-TV, see IFEX alerts of 20 September and 20 November 1996** IPI has been informed that Med TV’s news and panel discussion programmes are being targeted since […]
(IPI/IFEX) – IPI is strongly condemning the jamming of transmissions from
the London-based Kurdish-language satellite television station, Med TV, by
the Turkish authorities.
**For background to harassment of Med-TV, see IFEX alerts of 20 September
and 20 November 1996**
IPI has been informed that Med TV’s news and panel discussion programmes are
being targeted since Friday 9 October 1998 by jamming signals emanating from
Turkey. This latest incident, however, has several precursors, including the
jamming of Med TV for 3 weeks during 1997.
Background Information
Med TV is the only satellite station broadcasting in Kurdish. Additionally,
it has programmes in Turkish, Arabic, Assyrian and English. According to IPI
sources, the National Security Council of Turkey accuses Med TV of spreading
“separatist propaganda,” and it has therefore decided to “take out” the
station. Moreover, in Kurdish regions of Turkey, satellite dishes and
antennae have reportedly been prohibited and destroyed by soldiers and
police units.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Prime Minister:
outright violation of everyone’s right to “seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers” as
guaranteed by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
TV is
discontinued immediately
objectively report on developments in Turkey
Appeals To
His Excellency Mesut Yilmaz
Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey
Prime Minister’s Office
Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 417 39 54
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
