RTÜK Censorship on Netflix Series ‘Designated Survivor’

As reported by the US-based news websites Deadline and Variety, Netflix has removed an episode of “Designated Survivor” in Turkey following a demand from the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK).

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RTÜK Censorship on Netflix Series ‘Designated Survivor’

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Two US-based news websites, namely Deadline and Variety, have reported that Netflix has removed the seventh episode in the second season of political thriller series "Designated Survivor" in Turkey following a demand from the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK).

As reported by BBC Türkçe based on these two news websites, Netflix has released a statement about the issue and said, "Following a demand from the Turkish regulator, we have removed one episode of Designated Survivor from Netflix in Turkey only, to comply with local law."

The streamer has reiterated that seventh episode in question "is still available on its service in the rest of the world."

The episode in question reportedly features a fictitious President of Turkey named Fatih Turan, who comes under fire from the country's opposition while he is in the U.S. to attend a NATO Summit where he meets with U.S. president Tom Kirkman, played by Kiefer Sutherland.

The seventh episode of "Designated Survivor" entitled "Family Ties" also features a character named Nuri Şahin, a professor who was said to stage a coup in Turkey and lives in the US. The series refer to this character as "the last hope for a democratic and secular Turkey."

The series were previously criticized for the remarks of US President about the government of Turkey and the attempted coup said in the country.

RTÜK authorized to inspect online broadcasts

According to the "Regulation on Radio, Television and Voluntary Online Broadcasts" published on the Official Gazette on August 1, 2019, Internet platforms such as Netflix have been obliged to get a license from the RTÜK.

These websites also have to establish a company and pay taxes in Turkey so that they can continue operating in the country. The objective of the new legal regulation was explained as follows in the Official Gazette:

"The objective of this regulation is to establish procedures and principles as to the online broadcast and transmission of radio, television and voluntary broadcasting services; the broadcasting licences to be granted to media service providers and the authority of broadcast transmission to be given to platform operators; and the inspection of the related broadcasts."

It has also been indicated in the Gazette that the regulation in question will apply to "the private media service providing institutions that engage in online radio, television and voluntary broadcasts and the operators of these platforms that provide these broadcasting services."

(HA/SD)