‘Jasmine’, a popular Turkish TV series available for streaming on HBO Max, has been pulled from the platform in Turkey following a major fine from RTÜK, Turkey’s radio and television watchdog.
The fine had been handed out on the grounds of content “contrary to the national and moral values of society, general morality, and the principle of protecting the family.”
Yesterday (February 16), HBO Max Turkey posted an announcement on social media saying “Jasmine will bid farewell to HBO Max Turkey on Wednesday, February 18th, but will continue to be available in other countries.”
Show hit with major fine
The popular TV show tells the story of a young woman named Jasmine struggling with a debilitating and life threatening heart condition who becomes the love interest of her stepbrother Tufan.
Turkey’s media watchdog RTÜK launched an investigation into the show for “targeting the family structure, which forms the foundation of Turkish society, openly contradicting national and moral values, and showing content containing exploitation of women and contrary to general morality.”
As a result, HBO Max was hit with the highest level fine issued by RTÜK.
RTÜK fines and bans
RTÜK has handed out numerous fines and blackouts in recent years to opposition-leaning television stations, including TELE1, Sözcü TV and Halk TV. The watchdog has also cracked down on street interviews and YouTube journalists. Multiple fines from RTÜK also led to the cancellation of the TV series Kızıl Goncalar in 2024.
Written/translated for Medyascope by Leo Kendrick
