Within the framework of the 60th anniversary events of the Bayrak Radio Television Corporation, a symposium titled ‘Public Broadcasting in the Post-Truth Era’ took place in Girne today.
Speaking at the event held at the Acapulco Hotel in Girne, President Ersin Tatar highlighted the importance of conveying and delivering the message of truth regarding the Cyprus issue and efforts to promote the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
President Ersin Tatar, who addressed the opening of the symposium expressed his gratitude to all the employees who contributed to Bayrak Radio and Television Corporation (BRTK) from its establishment to the present day.
He recalled that in its early days, the corporation which had set off as a makeshift radio station had started broadcasting under challenging conditions, covering only certain regions of the island, gradually expanding to a broader geography and even to the entire world.
He emphasized the importance of enriching content, stating, “Now is the time for content. We need to enrich the content.”
Highlighting the challenges faced by the Turkish Cypriot people living under embargoes and isolations, Tatar expressed pride in making their voices heard worldwide despite all obstacles.
He emphasized the importance of truth, saying, “Truth is, of course, very important. To convey, communicate, and deliver this message of truth. The truth is that there is a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) with its own people, language, religion, culture, richness, sacrifices, martyrs, and a Republic – a free and independent Turkish state. The truth is that in this Eastern Mediterranean island, there is a separate people, and it is the truth of this people in the TRNC that needs to be heard by the whole world.”
Also delivering a speech, BRTK Director Meryem Çavuşoğlu Özkurt said that Bayrak Radio had been established in 1963 as a necessity to convey the voice of the Turkish Cypriot community to its people and the world.
She emphasized that BRTK, as the sole public service broadcaster in the country, started its broadcasting immediately after the events of December 21, 1963, with the iconic announcement of ‘bayrak bayrak bayrak’ (flag, flag, flag), providing a significant source of morale for the people.
Özkurt highlighted BRTK’s evolution from a single radio station to 6 radio and 3 television channels, noting that it currently serves approximately 6000 users daily with instant and accurate news through its website.
She discussed the concept of “post-truth,” indicating a period where truth is shaped by emotions, beliefs, and personal opinions rather than being based on objective facts.
Özkurt pointed out that, in today’s world, with the development of digital media and the influence of social media, the spread of misleading information and fake news has gained momentum, making it challenging to distinguish between truth and falsehood in an environment of easy access to information.
Emphasizing the importance of media literacy and digital literacy, Özkurt stated that while people now have unprecedented access to a vast amount of information, obtaining accurate information requires time and effort for everyone.
She highlighted the significance of questioning information in the “Post-Truth Era” and the importance of being the side that provides the most accurate information.
Özkurt emphasized that BRTK, as an essential part of the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC ), continues its broadcasts with a consciousness of public broadcasting and responsibility in light of technological developments in the evolving and changing world.
The symposium continued with a speech from Metin Feyzioğlu, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa who praised BRT as the voice of this truth, recalling how it organized resistance with limited resources in a small garage, under the leadership of Dr. Fazıl Küçük, during the darkest days when the Turkish Cypriots felt most helpless.
Describing the indifference of the international community during the destruction of the Turkish Cypriots, Ambassador Feyzioğlu criticized the prevailing attitude that considered those who belonged as humans and those who did not as mere numbers, not human beings.
He asserted that the reality of Cyprus was that the Turkish Cypriots were dehumanized during those days. Feyzioğlu concluded by emphasizing the resilience derived from the roots and genes of the Turkish Cypriots.