RTÜK initiates probe into Disney for canceling 'Atatürk' series

ANKARA

Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) head Ebubekir Şahin has announced that an investigation into Disney+ will be launched over the broadcasting platform's cancellation of the TV series "Atatürk."

The watchdog has asked the platform to put forward their defense, Şahin informed in a statement on his Twitter account.

"Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic of Türkiye, is our most important social value. The allegations of Armenian lobby intervention, which are reflected in the press, are meticulously investigated," he wrote.

The series, which was intended to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the country's republic and commemorate Atatürk, had caused a significant reaction after reports emerged that Disney+ would not broadcast it.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) had campaigned against the broadcast of the series and even initiated a boycott campaign targeting Disney+.

The ANCA's involvement has fueled allegations that the cancellation was politically motivated. The series, which will now be transformed into a feature film, is set to be exclusively shown in Turkish cinemas on Nov. 3, Armenian news website 301 claimed.

"We are happy to announce, Disney+ has reportedly made the decision to cancel the Turkish series Atatürk," it tweeted, referring to Atatürk as "a war criminal."

Meanwhile, ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesperson Ömer Çelik has strongly criticized the decision, describing it as "embarrassing."

In a tweet, Çelik expressed his dismay at the broadcasting platform for "succumbing to pressure from the Armenian lobby" and canceling the series before it could even air. He condemned the platform's action, deeming it "disrespectful to the values of the Republic of Türkiye and our nation."

Çelik accused ethnic Armenian groups in the United States of "using historical events to spread falsehoods," claiming that their ultimate goal was to "hinder the normalization of Türkiye-Armenia relations."