Cult scenes in Arka Sokaklar had disturbed Islamist circles: The expected statement has come from the RTÜK President

Kanal D's series Arka Sokaklar, which has been on screens for nearly 20 years, became the center of controversy after it focused on cult and religious community structures in this week's episode.

While Islamist circles criticized the topics covered in the series on the grounds that they "target religious values," calls were made to RTÜK by HÜDA PAR, Yeni Akit, and various social media accounts.

STATEMENT FROM THE RTÜK PRESIDENT

Following the criticisms, RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin published a statement on his social media account. Stating that RTÜK does not permit Islamophobic broadcasts, Şahin said that the accusations directed at him and his institution are unacceptable.

In his statement, Şahin used the following expressions:

“It is impossible to accept the unfair accusations, and even slanders, made against me and my institution without fully grasping the subjects or having accurate information. RTÜK never permits broadcasts that fuel Islamophobia, which is the disease of the age.”

Reminding of RTÜK's regulatory and supervisory duties in the field of broadcasting, Şahin made the following statements:

Şahin stated that RTÜK is a pioneering institution in the fight against Islamophobia. Recalling the “International Islamophobia and Media Summit” held with the support of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, he expressed that RTÜK has opened the issue of anti-Islam sentiment in the West to discussion and offered solutions.

He emphasized that RTÜK acts with sensitivity against broadcasts that encourage violence, contain terrorist propaganda, and threaten national security.

He underlined that RTÜK does not allow anti-Islamic scenes, content that belittles religious figures, or broadcasts that destroy social values.

Şahin stated that RTÜK is not a censorship institution and only performs post-broadcast supervision. He also reminded that censorship is prohibited according to the constitution.

Şahin also provided information about the penalties applied in the field of broadcasting recently. Accordingly:

Sanctions have been applied 119 times to broadcasts that destroy national and moral values.

A decision for sanctions was taken 18 times for broadcasts containing violence and 14 times for broadcasts containing terrorist propaganda.

A total of 69 different sanctions have been applied within the scope of violations of Law No. 6112.

Emphasizing in his statement that RTÜK will continue its work, Şahin thanked the public for their constructive criticisms and stated that the institution will continue to work in line with the expectations of the nation.

WHAT IS BEHIND THE CONTROVERSY?

This statement from RTÜK came following the discomfort caused in Islamist circles by the episode of the Arka Sokaklar series that focused on cult and religious community structures. The scenes in the series had received reactions particularly from circles such as HÜDA PAR and Yeni Akit.