ALBAWABA - The RTÜK ruling took Jasmine off the air after causing a lot of disagreement.
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), Turkey's media watchdog, has taken strong action against the new HBO Max show Jasmine. It was banned from all streaming services in Turkey and given the harshest possible fine. The move followed significant public debate and regulatory scrutiny regarding the first episode of the show, as many people believed it violated Turkey's laws on public morality and family values.
Jasmine came out on HBO Max on December 12, 2025. It became one of the most discussed shows on Turkish social media, not just for its story but also for the strong reactions it got from all kinds of people. The psychological drama series follows Yasemin, a young woman with a fatal heart disease. Her attempts to get a heart transplant put her in situations where she isn't sure what the right thing to do is. Tufan, her stepbrother, is the only person who she feels close to. Their strong bond makes things harder for them as they deal with desperation, moral issues, and breaking the law.
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Asena Keskinci plays Yasemin and leads the group. She is a young actress who became famous for her work in the popular family show Bez Bebek and other dramas. Burak Can Aras plays Tufan next to her, which has led to a dynamic that has sparked a lot of conversation about the characters' goals and the show's themes.
RTÜK's official statement stressed that Jasmine had material that was "contrary to national and moral values of society, general morality, and the principle of protecting the family." The group was worried that scenes in the show went against traditional norms and could have an effect on younger viewers. The regulator's decision also highlighted public complaints regarding the portrayal of relationships and moral boundaries in the show.
After the announcement, TV+ (which shares a licensing deal with HBO Max) took Jasmine off of its service. This shows how downstream partners have reacted to regulatory pressure.
The Jasmine controversy shows the ongoing tensions in Turkey over the balance between artistic freedom on global streaming platforms and local rules for TV and radio, especially when sensitive topics cross over with cultural expectations. As the debates go on, the show's fate and its effect on future shows are still crucial in discussions about society's ideals and rules for television.
