Turkey Fines Netflix and Other Platforms Over ‘Anti-Family’ Content

Turkey’s broadcasting watchdog RTÜK (Radio and Television Supreme Council) has imposed fines on several international streaming platforms — including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, MUBI, and HBO Max — accusing them of violating “national and moral values.”

According to Bianet, the council ordered the removal of certain films and series described as “anti-family” or “promoting homosexuality.” While the exact titles were not made public, the ruling cited content that, in the regulator’s view, conflicts with “the moral structure of society and family values.”

The platforms received administrative fines equal to 3 percent of their local revenue, the highest penalty allowed under Turkish media law. RTÜK has regulated digital platforms since the extension of its mandate to online broadcasting in 2019, a move that critics say paved the way for growing online censorship.

In its statement, the council emphasized its duty to “protect public morals,” while media freedom advocates warned that the decision reflects tightening control over cultural expression in Turkey’s digital sphere.