Norway's Journalist Union and Norway's Writers Union "Norsk Pen" have expressed in a common declaration their deep reaction against the Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council's (RTÜK) and Eutelsat's efforts to shut down the Kurdish channel Stêrk TV.

In the joint statement the fact has been stressed, that the decision of the RTÜK has nothing in common with European laws, and the decision was described as unlawful.

The joint statement pointed out the Kurdish television's consistent policy of multicultural broadcasting basing on democracy and secularism.

The statement continued, stressing that Stêrk TV is the only channel among those reporting on Turkey that manifests a clear stance against organizations like ISIS, Al-Nusra and Al-Qaeda.

Furthermore the statement put emphasis on the altogether closure of 156 TV and radio channels, dismissal of 2500 journalists and imprisonment of more than 150 journalists in Turkey following the military coup attempt fn the 15th July 2016, in addition to the removal of all opponent TV networks from Türksat and suspension of their broadcast.

Norway's Journalist Union and Norsk Pen highlighted the following demands addressing to Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende:

Director General of Eutelsat Rodolphe Belmer should end threats to shut down Stêrk TV.

The newly formed French government should be urged to prevent the closure of Stêrk TV and preserve the people's fundamental right to information.

The Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) should be reminded of their obligation to act according to the laws of Europe and Norway with respect to television and radio broadcasting regardless of their political tendency.