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Turkish Daily News
Oct 20 2006
RTUK recommends boycott of French media programs
Friday, October 20, 2006
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) has recommended
a boycott of French-produced programs and films in protest of the
French Parliament's adoption of a controversial bill that would make
it a crime to deny that Armenians were subjected to genocide at the
hands of the Ottoman Empire.
In a statement issued late on Wednesday, RTUK said its board members
had unanimously agreed that Turkish television and radio stations
should avoid airing French-made programs until France drops the
"genocide" bill.
French films, TV series and music account for about 10 percent of
the content on Turkish radio and television, according to figures
provided by RTUK.
Þaban Sevinc, a member of the RTUK, said French films were third in
popularity in Turkey behind American and Turkish films. "France is
trying to raise its voice in the world film industry. [We] hope this
decision will make some noise, even if it's small, in the French film
industry and art world and make them ask 'What have we done?'"
The French National Assembly last week infuriated Turkey by backing
the bill, though it is unlikely to become law due to opposition from
the Senate and French President Jacques Chirac.
Turkish consumer groups have called for a boycott of French-made
goods. Higher Education Board (YOK) Chairman Erdoðan Tezic announced
this week he was returning a prestigious French medal in protest.
But the government, while protesting the bill, has stopped short of
taking retaliatory measures such as recalling its Paris ambassador.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Namýk Tan said at a weekly press conference
yesterday that Ankara has no intention of recalling its ambassador
to France in reaction to the bill. "But this should not be regarded
as an indication of weakness. Our country's representative should be
there to express our views to [relevant authorities] in an effective
manner," he said.
"We are in favor of acting rationally and cool-headedly and exerting
efforts to take steps and develop a strategy in this way."
--Boundary_(ID_BT0OPhF0GOIP+yCGcEUr3Q) --
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Oct 20 2006
RTUK recommends boycott of French media programs
Friday, October 20, 2006
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) has recommended
a boycott of French-produced programs and films in protest of the
French Parliament's adoption of a controversial bill that would make
it a crime to deny that Armenians were subjected to genocide at the
hands of the Ottoman Empire.
In a statement issued late on Wednesday, RTUK said its board members
had unanimously agreed that Turkish television and radio stations
should avoid airing French-made programs until France drops the
"genocide" bill.
French films, TV series and music account for about 10 percent of
the content on Turkish radio and television, according to figures
provided by RTUK.
Þaban Sevinc, a member of the RTUK, said French films were third in
popularity in Turkey behind American and Turkish films. "France is
trying to raise its voice in the world film industry. [We] hope this
decision will make some noise, even if it's small, in the French film
industry and art world and make them ask 'What have we done?'"
The French National Assembly last week infuriated Turkey by backing
the bill, though it is unlikely to become law due to opposition from
the Senate and French President Jacques Chirac.
Turkish consumer groups have called for a boycott of French-made
goods. Higher Education Board (YOK) Chairman Erdoðan Tezic announced
this week he was returning a prestigious French medal in protest.
But the government, while protesting the bill, has stopped short of
taking retaliatory measures such as recalling its Paris ambassador.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Namýk Tan said at a weekly press conference
yesterday that Ankara has no intention of recalling its ambassador
to France in reaction to the bill. "But this should not be regarded
as an indication of weakness. Our country's representative should be
there to express our views to [relevant authorities] in an effective
manner," he said.
"We are in favor of acting rationally and cool-headedly and exerting
efforts to take steps and develop a strategy in this way."
--Boundary_(ID_BT0OPhF0GOIP+yCGcEUr3Q) --
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress