Özdemir Tokel, Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Cypriot public broadcaster BRTK, addressed the Turkic World Dialogue Forum in Ankara on October 30, 2026, at a panel on media and communication organized by Turkey's Presidential Directorate of Communications. Tokel called for greater recognition of the Turkish Cypriot community and for closer broadcasting cooperation among Turkic states.
Tokel underlined the particular significance international platforms hold for Northern Cyprus, stating: "For you, these panels may be routine events. But for us, they are vital opportunities to make the voice of the Turkish Cypriot people heard around the world. Being here, speaking and telling our own story in our own voice is of great value to us." Addressing TRNC's lack of widespread diplomatic recognition, he added: "Some may not recognize us. Some may still say we do not exist. But as you can see, we are here."
Tokel directly appealed to the Turkic world for recognition, saying: "Come, first recognize us as human beings, as your brothers and sisters—embrace us. Diplomatic recognition will follow." He noted that the TRNC has held observer status in the Organisation of Turkic States since 2022 and recalled that President Erdoğan has repeatedly called for TRNC's recognition at the UN General Assembly.
On media responsibility, Tokel warned: "We live in an age where perceptions, not facts, prevail. If you do not write your own story, others will write it for you." He argued that the spread of artificial intelligence has further raised the bar for verification and accurate public information, and called on Turkic media to develop a shared broadcasting framework that brings their peoples closer together in the present, not just through shared history.
Tokel announced that BRTK now reaches audiences across the Turkic world via Türksat and, through a dedicated agreement, via the Azerspace-1 satellite. He revealed that during a visit to Baku, BRTK established direct contact with Azerbaijan's state broadcaster AzTV and began work on future cooperation, with plans to replicate similar partnerships with broadcasters across other Turkic states. He closed by urging Turkic media outlets to open their screens to Turkish Cypriot content and carry each other's voices to wider audiences.
