Altun: TRT Français will fill an important linguistic void at this time

In his speech at the "TRT Français Digital Channel Launch Event" held at Atakule Event Hall to mark the TRT Français Digital Channel launch, Fahrettin Altun expressed his pleasure at being present to witness such an important event.

Stating that TRT, which has been on a 58-year journey, is one of the most important and outstanding institutions in the field of public broadcasting, not only in Türkiye but also in the world, Altun said that TRT owed this attribute to its historical renewal and strong institutionalization.

Noting that TRT is a brand that has an impact on seven continents today with its diverse radio and television broadcasts, digital platforms, brand productions, and international events, Altun said that TRT Arabi, which was founded in 2010, and TRT World, which was founded in 2015, provided very important prospects for Türkiye in the race to become a regional power and global actor in terms of addressing both the region and the global arena. Emphasizing that digital platforms TRT Russian and TRT Deutsch were launched later, Altun wished TRT Français, which began broadcasting today, good luck.

Noting that TRT, which broadcasts in 41 languages and dialects on the internet, was directly affected by Türkiye's rising position and breakthroughs, Altun said that within this context, it represented the country's international position with its broadcasts.

Altun noted that TRT internationalized by strengthening its institutionalization and position in accordance with Türkiye's progress over the past two decades.

Stating that TRT strives on being the voice of the unheard, bringing the ignored to the light, and communicating the truth to large audiences around the world, Altun said, "TRT is the last link of TRT’s perspective of international broadcasting. In this regard, I believe it will produce highly successful works."

Altun noted that more than 90 million people in Europe and 200 million people in Africa spoke French and emphasised that TRT Français would fill an important linguistic void at this time, recalling that the French language is used in a large portion of the world, including in Europe, France, Canada, African nations, and international organizations.

"It will offer an alternative medium"

Expressing that TRT Français will make Türkiye's voice heard in the Francophone world and relay global and regional issues to its audience from Türkiye's perspective, Altun said:

"Today, we are faced with the dominance and hegemony of a handful of media companies in the international arena. Despite their dominance, these media organizations do not serve as the voice of the truth or the mirror to the truth. Instead, they continue to reflect the global order of exploitation and the global order of oppression and keep broadcasting in the interests of this order. TRT's current initiative is an objection to this international hegemony, an exit, and an effort to develop an alternative, as demonstrated by TRT World and other international TRT channels. We should take this objection seriously. This objection reflects Türkiye's objection against global injustice. This objection is resonant of our President's remark, "the world is bigger than 5." This objection reflects our President’s call for "A fairer world is possible." This is a highly vital point. With Türkiye’s rising status, the potential of the institutionalization of this objection will take its place in the international arena.”

Altun voiced his hope that TRT will build alternative media platforms as the voice of truth, citing TRT's international broadcasting performance, adding, "TRT Français will offer an alternative media space to millions of Francophone people around the world."

"Türkiye will be communicated to the Francophone world"

Altun noted the Turkish and Muslim population in France and emphasized that TRT Français will make their opinions heard around the world and in France. Altun remarked that the channel would clearly showcase Türkiye's regional peace initiatives and stances on global issues, as well as communicate to the Francophone world Türkiye's development and improvement revolution over the last two decades.

Altun remarked that inequity, injustice, racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia are rising threats that must be counteracted in the international arena, adding: "With great sadness, we are maintaining vigilance over the rise of xenophobia, racism, and Islamophobia in Europe and attempting to intervene."

Altun pointed out how TRT Français will present a remarkable opportunity to inform the European public that racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia are essentially a series of tendencies that threaten social peace and contribute to international terrorism, terrorist organizations, and evil networks.

"May it be auspicious for humanity"

Altun recalled how the support of the French Cement Company Lafarge to terrorist groups in Syria was exposed in the documentary named "Factory" produced by TRT and said that he believed that such quality productions would be realized under the umbrella of TRT Français.

Altun stated that social and digital media are associated with disinformation and manipulation and pointed out the importance of public broadcasters with journalistic ethics being on stage with properly covered and impactful content.

Altun noted that the uncontrolled rise in systematic disinformation could only be prevented by the enhancement of disciplined and institutional experiences such as public broadcasting in the field of digital media.

Altun noted that TRT Français would deliver the news with its background and wished that this initiative, this claim made towards the global arena, would be auspicious for both humanity, Europe, and Türkiye.

Altun thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the opportunities he provided and said, "Let our path be clear, and may our struggle be the one for truth."

Fahrettin Altun's spouse Fatmanur Altun, Anadolu Agency (AA) Deputy General Manager and Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Özhan, TRT management, and employees also attended the promotional event.

A family photo with Altun, TRT Management, and its employees was taken at the end of the event. (ILKHA)