On Oct. 20, 2005, the UNESCO General Conference adopted the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. The convention, backed by Turkey’s representative at the session, aims to protect local cultural outputs and expressions against popular culture, such as films, television programs and songs. Popular culture has grown in speed and influence since the 1990s with the impact of globalization.
To take effect in individual countries, the convention needs to be ratified by their legislatures. The parliaments of 115 countries have so far endorsed the convention, to which the European Union is also a signatory. But 10 years later, the Turkish parliament has yet to ratify it.