[48800] Storm in Turkey: Bosch advertisement sparks public and government outrage

Storm in Turkey following a campaign by Bosch

A wave of sharp criticism has swept through Turkey following a Mother's Day advertisement by the appliance company Bosch, which presented a dog as a mother's "child." According to Said Ercan Resmî, who is associated with conservative positions, the ad was perceived as a mockery of the "sacred value of motherhood" and as support for the "dog food lobby," leading him to call for a consumer boycott of the brand.

Criticism was not long in coming from the upper echelons of the Turkish government as well. Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, declared that "motherhood is not a concept that can be cheapened through advertising language," and emphasized that true motherhood is one that cares for children, whether biological or adopted.

According to reports from A Haber, a media outlet identified with support for the government, the ad faced harsh criticism as its timing coincided with statements by President Erdoğan emphasizing the importance of traditional family values. Official sources raised concerns that this was a "perception operation" aimed at damaging family values.

Following the public storm and intense pressure, Bosch was forced to pull the advertisement from the air. Concurrently, according to Haber Gündem, the Chairman of the Radio and Television Supreme Council in Turkey (RTÜK), Mehmet Daniş, announced the opening of an official investigation against the brand, claiming that the advertisement contributes to the "erosion of family values."