ISTANBUL - State Minister Besir Atalay said on Tuesday that draft press law would be submitted to parliament soon.
A seminar on draft press law was held in Istanbul by the Directorate General of Press and Information and Council of Europe and under auspices of Atalay.
Addressing opening remarks, Atalay said that the government prepared a draft press law taking into consideration European Union (EU) standards, European human rights, universal values and needs of the country.
Atalay noted that the draft was on agenda of parliament at the moment and would be submitted to parliament soon.
The target of the government was a more democratic, freer and more prosperous Turkey, Atalay emphasized.
Atalay said that arrangements were being made for Turkey not only for EU adjustment.
The law on right of citizens to acquire information which was legalized last week was a very important step, Atalay noted.
Atalay said that the concept of freedom of thought and expression, which was the basis of freedom of press, was turned into a communication right concerning the individuals.
The draft press law which would take under guarantee rights of individuals to learn the realities would be further developed by views and proposals of concerned people and discussions in the parliament, Atalay pointed out.
Atalay said that the draft put an end to sanctions which removed the freedom of communication.
They adopted a more liberal approach to overcome the banning mentality and problems in regulations, Atalay noted.
Atalay stated that they attributed importance to protection of local press and made arrangements related with directors, correspondents and ownership conditions in parallel to implementations in EU countries.
Initiatives related with Supreme Radio and Television Board (RTUK) law were about to be completed, Atalay said.
Atalay pointed out that it was important to pay attention to pluralist and democratic media structure, editorial independence and ethic values in order to fully ensure freedom of communication.
(BRC) 14.10.2003