Netflix Risks Turkish Penalties Over Controversial ‘Cuties’
Netflix Risks Turkish Penalties Over Controversial ‘Cuties’
(Bloomberg) --
Turkey’s media watchdog RTUK is weighing penalties on Netflix Inc., saying the world’s largest paid streaming service is promoting the exploitation of minors with its controversial coming-of-age film “Cuties.”
A report prepared by a unit of the watchdog has concluded that the movie, scheduled to be released by Netflix worldwide on Sept. 9, is abusive. Bloomberg has seen a copy of the report, which recommends that Netflix be fined and the broadcast of “Cuties” be blocked in Turkey. The assessment was based on the film’s trailer. A spokesman for Netflix declined to comment.
Netflix describes “Cuties” as the story of an 11-year-old girl who “starts to rebel against her conservative family’s traditions when she becomes fascinated with a free-spirited dance crew.” The movie has been criticized by conservative groups in other countries, including the U.S.
If the penalties are implemented, then RTUK will be exercising its authority over web-based broadcasts for the first time.
The watchdog’s board is expected to discuss the report on Thursday. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s governing Justice & Development Party and its ally, the Nationalist Movement Party, command a majority of the nine-member board.
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