TV dating shows not banned in Turkey, but screen time rules changed

ANKARA

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) will not ban TV dating shows in Turkey, but it will only let them be aired at times when children do not watch TV, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.

The report came after claims that a state of emergency decree published on April 29 had outlawed television dating shows in the country.

“In radio and television broadcasts, shows where people are introduced to each other and/or brought together to find friends ... cannot be made,” the Official Gazette had stated on April 29. 

However, according to the latest report, the RTÜK will introduce a new set of rules to regulate all broadcasts that “negatively affect the psychological, physical and moral development of young people,” including TV matchmaking shows. Accordingly, such broadcasts will not be aired before a certain time in order to “protect children.” 

The RTÜK will also level harsher penalties against any TV station that violates the regulations. In the event of any continuation of such breaches, the media watchdog will be able to halt the broadcasts of the relevant TV channel or even shut it down. If the RTÜK bans a specific TV show, then the channel will have to replace it instead with a documentary. 

In line with the new state of emergency decree, the RTÜK is also planning to introduce new “incentives” to assist “family-friendly” TV series, Anadolu Agency reported.