The Power of Turkish Radio &amp Essay Example

TNT comes across as a rather conservative and theoretical channel. Their modus operandi doesn't sit well with me. But I can't deny the value of their enlightening programs on domestic and international law, which are undeniably fascinating. For instance, their Sunday afternoon program, Hukuk Rehberi is an excellent legal guide, vital for those making decisions that can impact their future. I might find such advice useful if I ever decide to return. Cemil laments not watching Dutch television, a choice which his children criticize him for. They themselves have no interest in Turkish television.

"Cemil contends, "Learning programs in the Dutch language at my age is not simple." His command of the language is inadequate, plus, the Dutch tend to speak quickly or use terms he can't comprehend. He also struggles to keep up with the swift subtitles. Having lived in the Netherlands for almost 35 years, he says, nothing surprises him anymore. According to him, the Dutch have a penchant for classification; Every matter needs to be neatly boxed.”

However, this concept is not readily understood by Turks. Turkey is a vast nation, and one's specific region, town or village plays a crucial role in shaping one's character. Even in a country like the Netherlands, you can find Turks hailing from various regions. Indeed, there are plenty of shared characteristics as we all belong to the same nation but firstly and foremostly, we are unique human beings. Additionally, self-development plays a decisive role in our personalities. In reality, it's disheartening to note that we seem to be in opposition to Dutch television.

We are a population seeking identity, wandering in unclaimed territory. Programs dealing with issues like

emigration, inheritance laws, dual citizenship, pension legislation, family unity or separation, property matters and divorce are highly valued. In addition to this, TRT INT consistently nurtures the nationalistic feelings among Turks residing overseas. Almost every day, viewers are reminded of Ataturk's heroic acts and the positive consequences of participating in military services. The channel also strives to maintain Turkey's reputation abroad by providing the expatriate Turkish community with 'trustworthy' information, such as on the Armenian issue, with the aim of shielding them from defamation.

The significance of Turkish pride is highly regarded by this station, and television serves as the primary platform to promote nationalism. TRT INT supports unity and views its overseas audience as ambassadors of Turkey. Hence, it prioritizes the need for its Turkish viewers to integrate, be productive, and raise their families in their adopted country. This two-fold approach, however, creates a challenging circumstance for integration due to the nuanced and sometimes conflictual dynamics between two cultures. The introduction of satellite-TV in the nineties ushered in substantial competition for the Turkish audience's attention, yet this doesn't seem to deter them from continuing their broadcasts.

Clearly, TRT INT benefits significantly from the sponsorship of the Turkish government. Even though TRT INT isn't meeting the demands and preferences of the Turkish youth in Europe - who favor satellite stations - those in Netherturkisch are not keen on losing access to TRT INT. They value their loyalty. The attitude is: there's no harm in giving it a shot. Despite the station's low viewership abroad, if a few hundred viewers daily gain knowledge, perhaps from law-related shows, which then better prepare them to navigate through Turkish and Dutch

bureaucracy, then TRT INT is delivering an educational service to its Turkish audience.

Roughly 40% of Turks struggle with speaking Dutch, with around 60% encountering difficulties with reading the language. If there is no improvement from the Dutch government, the Turkish people will adapt and bridge this gap. The question stands - why should millions of euros be spent on translated promotion materials when a TV program could easily educate Turkish-speaking elder immigrants? This brings forward an issue about Dutch television.

Despite living in a multicultural society, it's clear to see that Dutch television is lacking when it comes to catering Turkish content. The evidence? The heightened trend of Turkish youth frequently tuning into Turkish commercial satellite channels. There has to be a reason behind this. Ad Backus, a lecturer specializing in language and media usage of Turks at the Faculty of Letters, University of Tilburg, shares his insights:" Being Turkish holds a considerable amount of significance to one's identity in the Netherlands, just as much as being Dutch holds value in Turkey.

The varied nature of immigrant identities can be seen in different aspects, such as language preference. A study by the Catholic University of Nijmegen revealed that in 2000, foreign-born young people critically analyzed information and wished to evaluate Dutch resources in comparison to their native ones. However, by 2006, less comparison activity was observed due to a decrease in interest in Dutch television among most Turkish youths. A 24-year-old university student named Burak, born and raised in Utrecht, does not feel the need for such comparative resources. His daily activities at school and work involve speaking Dutch.

Although he follows the Dutch way of

life, he longs to be able to switch channels on the television without repeatedly hearing the terms 'immigrant' and 'Islam'. "There's nothing appealing to me on Dutch TV. Occasionally, I tune into Netwerk and Nova to stay informed. However, being young, I find pleasure in watching soaps featuring beautiful Turkish actresses or shows that have a distinct Turkish humor; or a movie that helps me connect with my Turkish heritage," expresses Burak. He often feels 'out of place' and misconstrued by Dutch society.

The cutting-edge white TV here only enhances his sense of alienation. Luckily, the NPS has started airing a program known as Asmali Konak. Although, it comes on every Saturday afternoon! As though a hardworking individual like me has no more pressing issues on a Saturday afternoon. I participate in football games, indeed with a Dutch squad. Furthermore, that Turkish series is terribly outdated. I travel to Istanbul twice yearly, so staying updated about trends, music and lifestyle is crucial. I am, and will forever be, a Turk. I don't want to be viewed as some weird European immigrant lacking in style.

"Isn't it true that we always get it wrong?", wonders Burak. Millikow-ski's study from 2000 on re-ethnicism is spot-on. He argues that Turkish television broadcasts reveal a 'modern' Turkey to its viewers, which contrasts significantly with the traditional Turkey that their parents had known. As a result, today's youth have a more accurate perspective on what Turkey really is. In the Netherlands, there remains a misconception of oppressed Muslim women. However, these Turkish television shows depict that there isn't much difference between the conduct of young Dutch girls on native soaps and Turkish

girls on Turkish soaps. The preconceived notion of Turkish culture and identity, instilled in Turkish youngsters during their upbringing, doesn't mirror present-day reality.

The distinctions between the Turkish and Dutch are not very evident. Turks residing in Turkey appear to have a stronger resemblance to the Dutch compared to those in Netherlands. Additionally, the idealistic perception of an unspoiled and perfect homeland is gradually giving away to more pragmatic and common perspectives. "The first generation, having minimal Dutch proficiency, have limited engagement in Dutch society but are exposed significantly, almost 23 hours daily, to modern Turkish culture. This could suggest their introduction to emerging norms and perspectives in an overwhelmingly favorable light.

Hence, the lack of sufficient relatable content on Dutch television has left the younger audiences, particularly those of Turkish descent, flocking to Turkish entertainment channels, which could potentially impact their integration process. Yasemin, a 32-year-old IT specialist, expresses her frustration by commenting, "Here we go again. The same old conversation about identification. But what exactly is identification? It is such a personal concept that's practically unattainable via media. If that were the case, we'd need a TV soap for South Africans, a music channel specifically for the hearing-impaired community, and even a quiz show tailored for pedophiles so everyone feels represented on the television screens.

In my opinion, individuals, such as Turks in this instance, should exhibit a more adaptable attitude. The Dutch cable offers a vast array of channels. Make an effort to discover ones that align with your tastes. If a particular show is not to your liking, choose another instead. However, don't grumble to me that you find nothing relatable in it. That's

simply absurd. It could just be attributable to apathy or lack of interest. Regardless of the reasons, it's evident that the Turkish population in the Netherlands maintains a significant bond with Turkey.

Indeed, the youth, in particular, exhibit transnational media habits which allow them to (emotionally) reside in multiple countries simultaneously (Phalet, 2000). Yasemin posed a question: "Why can't Turks relate to shows about home improvement or lifestyle? Don't Turks purchase property here, refurbish their living spaces or cultivate their gardens? Shouldn't a Turk be capable of viewing a soap opera that's not Turkish? They dwell in the Netherlands and therefore, they should presumably identify more with Hans Windmill than with Ali Testosteron from the Turkish drama series. The latter's producers have spent numerous weeks shooting in the eastern Turkish mountain ranges.

The performers use vernacular language to address themes such as retaliation, impoverishment, familial prestige, unreciprocated or unfeasible love. Residence in multiple countries doesn't inherently imply preference for one. This appears to be a self-deception. Are Turks feigning an exaggerated Turkish identity? The Turkish audience clings to their native media culture fervently to avoid feeling misplaced. There is a significant fear of becoming vulnerable to Dutch culture and subsequently detaching from their inherent norms and values.

Yasemin expresses regret over the situation, stating, "I am fundamentally Turkish. One should not learn the Turkish language, culture, and religion from the media. These elements should be instilled during one's upbringing. The content displayed on satellite channels is excessively crude. It's overly macho, too much nudity, and too much of a paparazzi level. In the end, it's up to each individual to decide what they choose to watch. While TRT

INT may not be particularly impressive, I personally consider commercial channels to be more detrimental to the development of the youth than it is not necessarily harmful, but simply more damaging." She noted that in the early eighties, programs aimed at Turkish audiences were broadcasted by the NOS.

These initiatives introduced Turks to Dutch society, providing answers on job and house hunting, as well as family reunification. They were the forerunners of Hukuk Rehberi on TRT INT. In 1983, both minority-centered policy documents and the media recognized that minorities require information about policies and programs designed specifically for them, mainly encompassing art, culture, and entertainment from their native countries (Bestuursinfo, Utrecht). Unfortunately, it did not receive the level of attention it merited at that time, or was insufficiently highlighted.

In 1989, the Advisory Council on Government Policy (WRR) terminated a policy concerning integration and culture, marking the cessation of national Dutch television programming aimed at particular ethnic groups. The shift caused these programs to fall under the jurisdiction of local and regional broadcasters. Unfortunately, this shift has led to fragmentation within the country, with the impacts not being entirely positive. By 2006, the issue seems not to stem from Dutch television or Turkish satellite stations. Could it be that TRT INT is actually the source of the problem?