Ilhan Tasci, a member of the RTUK board representing the main
opposition, said on social media platform X that the regulator
had also imposed a 3% administrative fine on broadcaster Fox TV,
owned by Walt Disney Co. unit Fox Networks Group.
"Kizil Goncalar", which highlights the division between
religious and secular segments of society, faced immediate
backlash after it was first aired on Dec. 18, even though its
first two episodes topped ratings lists and had more than 10
million views on YouTube.
RTUK has often penalized shows over what it has labeled as
violations of Turkey's moral values, the structure of family, or
other issues it considers to be unethical, namely LGBTQ+ rights.
Its critics and opposition parties have criticized it for
curbing freedoms.
The show's producer, Faruk Turgut, said the series reflected the
sociological reality of Turkey, portraying the clash between
secular and religious segments of society.
"I am trying to hold a mirror on the realities of Turkish
society. The realities must be discussed, we cannot progress by
ignoring them," Turgut was quoted by daily Hurriyet as saying.
"They declared war on us, but we will fight until the end."
Ebubekir Sahin, RTUK chairman and a member of President Tayyip
Erdogan's ruling AK Party, wrote on X that outraged viewers had
called for the cancellation of the show, and that its posters on
billboards in Istanbul had been vandalized with black paint.
Pro-government media accused the show of being Islamophobic,
prompting the cancellation of filming venue permits for upcoming
episodes.
The Ismailaga Brotherhood, a prominent religious sect in Turkey,
sharply criticized the series.
"Productions in today's media that target our religion and
devout individuals by aiming to denigrate the names of Allah,
our noble book the Quran, spiritual institutions such as sects
and orders, are absolutely unacceptable," the sect said on X.
Tasci said the "RTUK has bowed down to cults and sects".
(Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Sharon
Singleton)
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