BRTK Director Meryem Özkurt is paying a series of visits to state and government officials as part of the 58th anniversary of the establishment of Bayrak Radio Television Corporation.
The BRTK Director Özkurt on Monday paid separate visits to President Ersin Tatar, Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri and the leader of the People’s Party (HP) Kudret Özersay.
Speaking during Özkurt’s visit, President Tatar congratulated BRT on its 58 years since its first broadcast through a makeshift radio powered by car batteries.
Reminding of his recent visit to the corporation, Tatar praised the work carried out by BRT’s News Department and the technical staff working at Kantara and Selvili Tepe.
Noting that the BRTK was prompt and accurate in reporting domestic and foreign news, he said the corporation was the real voice of the Turkish Cypriot people.
He added that BRT also contributed to the development of private broadcasting in the country and praised the corporation’s contributions to distance learning during the pandemic lockdowns.
The Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri during his meeting with the BRT Director praised BRT’s accomplishments.
Drawing attention to the changes in broadcasting due to advancements in technology, he expressed the view that BRTK was a pioneer in the transformation of Turkish Cypriot media.
Highlighting the important role BRT played in voicing the just cause of the Turkish Cypriot people to the world, Başçeri said, “We as the Republic of Turkey have always supported and will continue to support BRT in carrying out its duties.”
The leader of the People’s Party Kudret Özersay said that BRT was a symbol of the struggle given by the Turkish Cypriot people.
He said the corporation’s employees through great sacrifices carried out the work of keeping the public informed on the latest developments, even during times of great risk such as the pandemic.
Also speaking during the visits, BRTK Director Meryem Özkurt said that the Bayrak Radio which was established by a group of heroes on December 25, 1963 today boasted three TV channels and six radio stations.
Stating that BRT served as a guide to other broadcasting institutions and media outlets in the country, Özkurt said that the pandemic had once again revealed the importance of accurate reporting.
On Tuesday, the BRT Director paid a visit to the Republican Turkish Party where she met with the CTP General Secretary Erdoğan Sorakin.
Speaking during the visit, Sorakin highlighted the importance of BRT for the Turkish Cypriot people.
He said that BRT, since its creation in 1963, served as the voice of the Turkish Cypriot people and played a crucial role.
The CTP General Secretary also drew attention to the need to address structural and legal issues that were pending.
Also speaking during the visits, BRTK Director Meryem Özkurt said that the Bayrak Radio which was established by a group of heroes on December 21, 1963, today boasted three TV channels and six radio stations.
The BRTK Director also invited state and government officials to a reception to be held at the corporation on Friday, the 24th of December.