Turkey paves way for broadcasting in Kurdish

Turkey bolstered its case for beginning accession talks with the European Union on Tuesday when its media regulator said it would permit limited television and radio broadcasts in Kurdish, reversing an 80-year ban.

ANKARA (AA) – Brussels has praised Ankara for passing a swathe of rights reforms in recent months, but says the EU candidate must implement the measures before it can begin membership talks.

Private radio stations may apply to broadcast in Kurdish for five hours a week and TV channels for four hours weekly once the Supreme Board of Radio and Television’s (RTUK) decision is published in the official gazette, RTUK head Fatih Karaca said.