Netflix series targeted by Turkish government media for mentioning Demirtas's book

A new Netflix series has been targeted by the government media in Turkey because a book written by imprisoned former co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) was mentioned in one of the scenes.

"Seher", consisting of stories written by Selahattin Demirtas after his incarceration in November 2016, was mentioned in the first episode of the 2022 mini series "Shards of Her," produced in Taiwan.

"Seher," a major contribution to prison literature, was translated into several languages including English, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Dutch, Italian, Kurdish, Arabic and Greek.

The reference to the book in an episode of "Shards of Her," sparked reactions in the government media, who all used the same words in headlines, saying the book was "promoted" in the series.

A unity in headlines

Yeni Safak said: "Praising Selahattin Demirtas in Netflix series: They promoted the book 'Seher'"

Takvim said: "In the Netflix series 'Shards of Her' they praised HDP's Selahattin Demirtas who's under arrest over terror offenses! They promoted the book 'Seher'"

Yeni Akit said: "He had praised terrorists! Netflix promoted Selahattin Demirtas's book 'Seher'"

Ahaber said: "This time Selahattin Demirtas praised by Netflix! Promoting the book titled Seher, written by a HDP official who is serving a sentence for terror offenses"

It said in the lede:

"HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtas who works for the PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party] has been publicized through praises by Netflix while he's in prison. Netflix, who has earlier drawn reactions for its productions promoting desexualization, anarchy and Islamophobia, now makes terror propaganda. They promoted Seher, a book by Selahattin Demirtas in a series."