Activity Details (ID# 4611)

Activity Synopsis

The general objective of the seminar was to present the current situation in Turkey concerning media concentrations and media transparency and to introduce to the participants the Austrian experience in this field. Furthermore, the seminar was aimed at discussing the questions posed by the development of new technologies and their impact on media pluralism.

Another objective of the seminar was to create a forum for the different segments of the media environment in order to discuss media situations in Turkey and their implications for Turkish and European Union media policy.
 

The seminar was extremely well organised and well attended. The relevant Turkish legislation, as well as the Council of Europe report on Media Diversity in Europe were made available.

The debates focused firstly on the current problems of media concentrations in Turkey, particularly in the broadcasting field, where, due to the suspension by the Constitutional Court of relevant amendments passed by Parliament in 2002, the anti-concentrations measures are not being applied. The Council of Europe expert presented the Austrian experience in this area showing the shortcomings and the lessons that could be learned and used in the Turkish context. Furthermore, the discussion also focused on the challenges faced by European countries in the face of the developments of new technologies. The Council of Europe expert presented the current trends in the Netherlands and the ways these questions will have to be addressed by the national legislator. Due to the high level and quality of the speakers, the debates and discussions were intense and focused. Additional time could have been foreseen for more discussion.

Media coverage was very good. The proceedings were recorded by the public television channel “TRT” and the seminar was transmitted live on the Internet.

Although no questionnaire was distributed, the overall feed-back by participants was very positive.

Small changes were introduced in the programme which did not have any serious impact on the implementation of the seminar.

The target group was only partially reached, since unfortunately no representatives from the public authorities (Government, Parliament) were present. However, the high level of participation of the Radio and Television Council (RTÜK) will most probably be useful since the Council will promote amendments to the regulatory framework in 2004.

Participation by graduate and postgraduate students in the seminar was another important aspect of the seminar, since the students had the opportunity to hear different view points on the issue.
 

No formal declaration was adopted at the end of the Seminar. Should the Turkish Government embark on the transformation of the broadcasting legislation in 2004, a legislative expertise by Council of Europe experts could be advisable.

The Faculty of Communication of Ankara University is envisaging publishing the proceedings of the seminar.

The seminar showed that there is no comprehensive research and data related to concentrations and transparency of the media industry in Turkey. The Faculty of communication was willing to conduct field research on the issue, in collaboration with Council of Europe.

Experts, professionals in the media industry and students were ready to participate in another similar seminar or panel discussion concerning the media in Turkey. It is important to continue collaboration with the universities in the future.
 

Participation in the seminar was very high compared to other seminars organised in Turkey on similar subjects. Media professionals, academics and students with a high level of knowledge and experience in the media field actively participated in the seminar.

-Members and representatives of the Radio & TV Supreme Council (RTÜK),
-Members and representatives of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT)
-Members and representatives of the Directorate General of Press and Information
-Representatives from local private radio and television companies (ODTÜ Radio, Bek Radio, Flash TV)
-Media Professionals
-Academics from Ankara University- Faculty of Communication; Gazi University - Faculty of Communication; Başkent Univ. - Faculty of Communication; Bilkent Univ. - Faculty of Communication.
-Graduate and Post-graduate students



 

Prof. Walter Berka, Dean of the Law Faculty, Salzburg University (Austria)
Mr Ad van Loon, Manager Legal & Regulatory Affairs, VECAI, Den Haag, the Netherlands
 

Mr Mario OETHEIMER, Media Division, DG2