BBC suspends cooperation with Turkish private broadcaster NTV

ISTANBUL

The BBC has announced that it has suspended its partnership with private Turkish broadcaster NTV, after the latter decided not to air one of its flagship programs.

“The BBC is suspending its partnership with NTV in Turkey with immediate effect, following NTV’s decision not to transmit the BBC program 'Dunya Gundemi' [World Agenda] today,” BBC World Service Director Peter Horrocks said in a written statement on June 14.

"Any interference in BBC broadcasting is totally unacceptable and at a time of considerable international concern about the situation in Turkey, the BBC’s impartial service to audiences is vital,” the statement added. 

The Turkish network has broadcast the BBC's current-affairs TV program "World Agenda" five days a week since 2010.

The BBC added that its Turkish service would continue to cover global events and operate via its website.