23/12/2024 | Writer: Kaos GL
According to the report; while the Council penalised LGBTI+ themed content on the grounds of ‘protection of national and moral values’ and ‘protection of the family’, it continued to broadcast hate rallies as public service announcements.
Media and Law Studies Association published its report titled ‘30 Years of Censorship: Radio and Television Supreme Council in its 30th Year’. The report reveals the functioning of RTÜK and examines the fines imposed between 1 January 2023 and 30 June 2024.
The report reveals that 568 thousand TL fines were imposed on LGBTI+ themed broadcasts between January 2023 and June 2024.
In the report, it is stated that the biggest example for the fines given to LGBTI+ themed publications is the fine given to the broadcast in which Esmeray, an MP candidate from the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP), appeared:
"On November 25, 2023, journalist İrfan Değirmenci hosted Esmeray on his program aired on Halk TV. During the show, Esmeray stated: “I am certain that LGBTQ+ children, especially those from Generation Z, who are watching me right now, are feeling happy and no longer alone.” Citing these remarks, RTÜK imposed a fine of ₺495,636 (approximately $17,700) on December 28, 2023. The council justified the penalty by stating the broadcast violated principles prohibiting content that is "contrary to national and moral values, general morality, and the protection of the family."
According to the report, most of the administrative fines amounting to 9 million liras imposed on the grounds of ‘contradiction to the national and moral values of the society’ were imposed on the TV series ‘Kızıl Goncalar’. The penalty given to the series ‘Kızıl Goncalar’ was followed proportionally by the penalty given to the programme in which Esmeray was a guest of İrfan Değirmenci.
While the Council fined broadcasts on LGBTI+, it also broadcasted hate rallies as public service announcements
The report also mentioned RTÜK Vice President İbrahim Uslu's praise of TRT World's anti-LGBTI+ documentary True Colors on his social media accounts and the broadcasting of the anti-LGBTI+ Big Family Meetings as a public service announcement:
"One of the most debated public service announcements supported by RTÜK was created to promote the "Great Family Gatherings" organized by the Istanbul Family Foundation. The PSAs, recommended by RTÜK in both 2022 and 2023, included content featuring slogans such as “Stop LGBT Propaganda,” which critics have labeled as hate speech."
LGBTI+ themed content on digital platforms was also targeted by the Council
In addition, the report also emphasised that platforms were fined for LGBTI+ themed content. According to the report, RTÜK fined six different platforms in November 2023. In its fines, the Council cited ‘constructing an alternative ideal world based on gender’ and ‘not recognising the boundaries of ... gender’, and ‘protecting the family and public morality on the grounds of normalising them’.
According to the report, administrative fines were imposed on ‘Anne+’ and ‘Elites’ on Netflix, ‘Love Victor’ on Disney+, ‘Hot Room’ on Mubi and ‘The Book of Queer’ on BlueTV.
According to the report, RTÜK also decided to invite digital internet platform publishers to Ankara in order to organise a comprehensive meeting in September with the aim of organising a comprehensive meeting with digital internet platform publishers on broadcast policies related to Turkish family structure and national and spiritual values.
Click here to access the report.
Tags: human rights, media
