ISTANBUL - State Minister Besir Atalay said on Thursday that on the one hand the government encouraged pluralism and democratization in communication, on the other hand it took measures to increase efficiency and functionality in public broadcasting.
Speaking in the opening ceremony of the 40th General Assembly of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) in Istanbul, Atalay said that it was meaningful to hold the meeting in Istanbul, a city which was the capital of many civilizations and which was still an intersection point of civilizations and continents where people of different languages, religions and cultures co-existed in peace and tolerance.
Atalay noted that despite the prejudice that ''mass communication means incited conflicts and war,'' the message that ABU members would give to the world was ''compromise and peace.''
Communication should increase affection, mutual confidence and respect to values, Atalay stated.
Atalay drew attention that communication was not only a part of information systems but also a part of culture, identity, education and socialization processes and it was even a part of development.
Communication was a determining element today, Atalay noted. He said, ''geography and political borders are gradually blurred and every person has become the reality of another person and every society has become the reality of another society.''
Atalay pointed out that human beings were considered the most valuable creature that should be protected together with its rights and liberties.
Eastern cultures and the humanist approach were more respected and tried to be perceived more, Atalay said.
Atalay said, ''individualized information gives people the opportunity and capability to behave independently from the hegemonic politics of their countries.''
Every country did not make use of the new communication opportunities at the same level, Atalay pointed out.
Atalay said that one-sided unbalanced flow of news from developed to developing countries still continued.
They supported efforts to develop regional and local cooperation among media organs, Atalay noted.
Atalay stated that they respected efforts of ABU, which had 101 members, and would support projects and initiatives which would improve cooperation among the members.
Cooperation among broadcasting organs would pave way of other fields, Atalay said.
Atalay stressed that such a cooperation would be a means of strong friendships among countries and societies.
There were around 4,800 newspapers and magazines, 16 national television channels, 270 local or regional television channels, 40 thousand web-sites in Turkey, Atalay said.
Atalay noted that on the one hand the government encouraged pluralism and democratization in communication on the other hand it took measures to increase efficiency and functionality in public broadcasting.
The aim of arrangements as a part of European Union (EU) perspective was to create a modern legal structure in communication and enable whole society to make use of freedoms and rights, Atalay stated.
Atalay said, ''concept of freedom of press has become a concept of freedom of communication which concerns all individuals of the society today.''
Touching on the draft Press Law, Atalay said that the draft was submitted to concerned sides and the public opinion to learn their views.
Atalay said, ''we are conducting a very careful work on the law on Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) which regulates the functions of the radio and televisions in our country. We are determined to assume a freer and more responsible media understanding.''
They considered taking measures to protect family and children an obligation for a healthy social structure, Atalay added.
(BRC-Öª) 09.10.2003