Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the pivotal role of Trkiye's national public broadcaster TRT and Anadolu Agency in leading the 'struggle for truth' during a time when 'information and culture wars' are influencing the global agenda. He highlighted their efforts to act as a barrier against cultural degeneration through their focus on broadcasts and productions that prioritize truth and justice.
According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan spoke at the launch event of TRT's new youth channel, TRT Genc, in Ankara. He took the opportunity to extend his best wishes to the Turkish nation and the Muslim world on Mi'raj Night, a significant religious event marking the Prophet Muhammad's ascension. He also expressed his prayers for peace and relief for those facing oppression, particularly in Gaza.
Erdogan underscored the importance of TRT remaining faithful to the truth, especially regarding Trkiye's history, and pointed out that the broadcaster should not be swayed by ratings concerns. Introducing TRT Genc with the motto 'the future is you,' he expressed his belief that the channel will serve as a vital platform for young people, contributing to the strengthening of Trkiye's vision for the 'Century of Trkiye.' The channel's diverse programming in areas such as science, technology, arts, sports, history, and daily life is expected to aid in the intellectual and cultural development of the youth.
Erdogan also addressed the critical issue of addiction, which he described as a significant challenge of the modern era. He warned against the dangers of addiction to substances like drugs and alcohol, as well as to behaviors such as online betting, gambling, and smoking, noting their severe impact on society, comparable to terrorism. He emphasized that combating these issues requires more than just security measures.
Furthermore, Erdogan discussed the family unit as a primary target in the ongoing 'culture wars.' He criticized the promotion of 'distorted relationships' in various media forms, including TV shows, films, and games. He praised TRT for its commitment to producing content suitable for family viewing and advocated for more robust programming to address addiction issues beyond conventional public service announcements.
In highlighting TRT's international success, Erdogan mentioned that the TRT co-produced film Triangle of Sadness won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and a TRT World documentary earned an Emmy in the news and current affairs category, marking a first for Trkiye. He also cited the global impact of the documentary Holy Redemption, which focuses on Israeli settlers in Palestine. Over the past four years, nearly 100 TRT co-productions have garnered around 500 awards at major international festivals. Erdogan concluded by expressing hope for the success of Palestine 36 in the Best International Feature category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards.