Turkey's media watchdog investigates Disney+ over alleged cancellation of Ataturk series

Turkey’s media watchdog has launched an investigation into Disney+ over the streaming platform’s decision to cancel the airing of a mini-series on the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) said on Tuesday that it will probe the move to stop airing the Turkish production ‘Ataturk’ - named after the revered Turkish figure.

RTUK’s chair, Ebubekir Sahin, said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that a "careful investigation" was opened following reports that Disney+ had "decided not to broadcast domestic content 'Ataturk' on its platform".

Sahin described the series as the "most important" public value in the country, adding that claims on social media platforms suggested that Disney's decision was reportedly influenced by "Armenian lobbies" in the US. 

In June, the Armenian National Committee of America urged Disney+ to cancel the series, which it said "[glorified] a Turkish dictator and genocide killer with the blood of millions […] on his hands".

The series was due to be released on 29 October 2023, on the 100-year anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey. 

Spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Omer Celik, strongly criticised the platform's reported action, describing the move as "embarrassing" and "disrespectful to the values of the Republic of Türkiye and our nation".

Many in Turkey took to social media to voice their anger at the cancelling of the series by the streaming platform, calling for a boycott of Disney+ and vowing to cancel their subscriptions.

Disney has not responded to The New Arab’s request for comment.

According to Armenian news site 301, the series will be transformed into a feature film that will be shown in Turkish cinemas in November.