By Batıkan Erkoç
9 June 2024 - In 2023, RTÜK fined Halk TV for trans parliamentary candidate Esmeray’s statements and penalized Netflix and five other digital platforms for featuring LGBT+ characters. Meanwhile, RTÜK supported an anti-LGBT+ rally, citing "public interest."
Trans candidate Esmeray's TV appearance leads to fine
RTÜK imposed a fine of 495,636 TL on Halk TV on December 28, 2023, for a program aired on November 25, 2023, where journalist İrfan Değirmenci hosted trans parliamentary candidate Esmeray. During the program, Esmeray remarked, "...Right now, LGBT+ kids from Generation Z who see me on screen must be very happy and not feel alone." RTÜK justified the fine by citing the violation of "the principles of national and moral values, general morality, and the protection of the family."
Fines for platforms over LGBT+ content
RTÜK, which gained the authority to regulate digital platforms alongside TV and radio broadcasts with a 2019 regulation, fined six digital platforms in 2023 for LGBT+ content. The fines were justified by claims of promoting an "alternative ideal world based on gender" and not recognizing "the boundaries of gender," which RTÜK argued were contrary to the principles of protecting the family and general morality.
Administrative fines were imposed on programs such as Anne+ and Elite on Netflix, Love, Victor on Disney+, Portrait of a Lady on Fire on Mubi, and The Book of Queer on BlueTV. RTÜK cited violations of "national and moral values, general morality, and the protection of the family."
Green light for hate rally public service announcement
Public service announcements promoting the "Great Family Gathering," labeled as a "hate rally" by LGBT+ organizations, were approved by RTÜK in both 2022 and 2023. These announcements included statements like "LGBT propaganda and impositions, spreading like a virus worldwide and in our country in the digital age..."
In 2022, LGBT+ organizations filed lawsuits against these announcements, and in September 2023, 10 individuals protesting the decision in Izmir were detained. For such announcements to air, RTÜK must determine they serve the public interest, according to the Public Service Announcements Directive.
Support for TRT's anti-LGBTQ+ documentary
RTÜK Deputy Chairman İbrahim Uslu tweeted in support of TRT World’s anti-LGBTQ+ documentary "True Colors," whose trailer was released in February 2024. Uslu praised the documentary, stating, "TRT World’s new digital series 'True Colours' investigates the untold stories of those affected by the spread of gender ideology and the LGBT lobby." The documentary claims that the LGBT+ movement is "imported from the West" and that advocating for LGBT+ rights is a "highly profitable industry."
