Will TRT Farsi deliver impartial programming or produce content with a bias?
TRT Farsi serves as the Persian-language broadcast branch of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT).
TRT has launched its 9th digital news channel, focusing on delivering impartial news to millions of Persian speakers worldwide. This initiative marks the network’s 12th foreign language platform within TRT’s international news portfolio, as reported by TRT World’s YouTube channel.
Turkey has recently launched TRT Farsi, a new broadcasting channel designed to deliver in-depth analyses and commentaries specifically tailored for Persian-speaking audiences.
While specific details regarding the network’s operations remain undisclosed, political-media analysts suggest that the network’s activities could be targeting influence efforts towards Iranian Azeri speakers.
In an interview with IRNA, seasoned journalist Hamid Ziayiparvar stated that TRT, as the official broadcaster of the Turkish government, will disseminate the nation’s positions in Persian.
He emphasized that Turkish media holds a minimal influence in the news sector, projecting that Turkish state radio and television entities are unlikely to gain popularity among Iranian viewers.
In related developments, Salar Seyfoddini, a renowned geopolitics expert, has expressed concerns that Turkey’s use of this Persian-language platform will extend beyond tourism promotion and the broadcasting of series and films. Seyfoddini warns that, after successfully establishing an audience, Turkey is likely to exploit the medium as a strategic tool in the near future.
An expert has raised concerns regarding the political affiliations of some individuals present at the opening ceremony of TRT Farsi.
Turkey is poised to undertake measures in alignment with Iran’s national interests, specifically concerning regions such as northern Iraq, within Iran itself, or the South Caucasus. Ankara is likely to leverage media resources to support these initiatives, with TRT Farsi potentially serving as a strategic asset, according to informed speculation.
