The channel has received several warnings and fines relating to the infringement of the code of the Independent Television Commission (ITC), which regulates all commercial broadcasts in Britain.

The Turkish government, alleging that the channel is a mouthpiece for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), has accused the station of broadcasting "terrorist propaganda".

Turkey has pressured most countries that have leased airtime to Med TV and has repeatedly asked Britain to close down the station.

The TV broadcasts from Britain via satellite to Europe and the Middle East, including Turkey. Here follow samples of comments and statements broadcast by Med TV:

"Our leader's arrival in Rome has a political aim. He is there on behalf of our people, with his political identity. We hope that the Italian government and state, which have a friendly attitude towards the liberation struggle of the Kurdish people, will display the same friendly attitude towards our leader. We believe that they will not surrender to the Turkish state's blackmail and threats...

"Everybody knows that the Turkish Republic has waged a war of genocide against the Kurdish nation similar to the ones it has waged against the Armenians, the Assyrians, the Greeks, and other peoples. In a situation where the democratic forces should adopt a stand against this genocide, the United States and other forces have supported the Turkish Republic.

"We call on these forces to abandon this stand and not to stand beside the Turkish Republic. We emphasize that unless they do so, they will have to bear the consequences when our people exercise their legitimate right of self-defence. We warn them to stay away from the ferocious plot developed by the TC against our leadership."

(Kurdistan Workers' Party, PKK, statement broadcast on 13 November)

"Europe is a collaborator in the genocide-type solution of the Kurdish problem. In the final analysis, this policy dragged Europe into a very difficult situation. The same political stand gave birth to Hitler. Subsequently, the Nazi and fascist policies were largely eradicated in Europe. Their extensions were not eradicated, however, especially in Turkey.

"While the negative consequences of World War I and World War II were eradicated in Europe, these consequences are still present in the Middle East. The Kurdish problem constitutes one of the main factors. Europe is now obliged to resolve this situation. It is obliged to resolve the extensions of Nazism and fascism in the Middle East. Otherwise, it will be violating its own principles and values."

(Interview with PKK representative Ali Haydar Kaytan broadcast on 13 November)

"While the sensitivity of the people and of the international public opinion constantly grows, the People's Liberation Army of Kurdistan commanders assessed the situation today. All the ARGK provincial commanders, including Cemil Bayik, Duran Kalkan, Halil Atac, Osman Ocalan, Mustafa Karasu, Nizamettin Tac, and Riza Altun, attended a radio panel.

"They stated that the Kurdish people have been waging a struggle with rules and principles, adding: This must be respected. Otherwise, those who attack a nation with no constraints whatsoever will have to pay the price."

(Report broadcast on 15th Nov 98)

"I managed to arrive in Rome after waging a struggle - with or without mistakes - to voice the survival, identity and freedom problems of the peoples of Kurdistan - the heart of the Middle East and cradle of civilization - of a people who have been subjected to annihilating wars for centuries...

"I am opposed to all kinds of terrorism, even if it originates with us. I am ready to do my share to stop it immediately.

(Press release by Abdullah Ocalan broadcast on 16th November.)