Netflix and Turkish govt talks break down over local series with gay theme – report – Ahval

Negotiations between Netflix and officials linked to Turkeys ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) over a gay character featured in a popular Turkish series by the streaming platform have ended in a faceoff, journalist Cneyt zdemir said on Saturday.

The dispute revolves a coming-of-age comedy drama Ak 101 (Love 101) that featured a storyline surrounding a gay high school student Turkeys state broadcasting regulator RTK wanted censored.

After days of talks, Netflix drew the line at AKP's homosexuality censorship and stopped shooting the show in Turkey, zdemir said on Twitter. It refused to accept the censorship.

Shortly before Ak 101 launched in April, RTK headEbubekir ahinsaid the TV watchdog would not tolerate a homosexual theme, adding that RTK would apply sanctions to Netflix if the series featured a gay character. The subsequent airing of the show was interpreted as the series being clear of any themes of homosexuality.

zdemir wondered how the negotiations between Netflix, RTK and Turkish Tourism Ministry officials went. Which roles were wished to be changed in the show? How many Netflix shows did RTK look to censor? he said.

Could Turkey become the first country in the world to ban Netflix?

RTK, which is controlled by allies of President Recep Tayyip Erdoan, hascome under fire for turning increasingly conservativeunder the 18-year rule of his Islamist AKP.

Turkey's LGBTI+ community has faced considerable discrimination and hostility under Erdoans rule. In 2019, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (IGLA) said that Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia were theworst ranked countriesin Europe for LGBTI+rights.

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Netflix and Turkish govt talks break down over local series with gay theme - report - Ahval