Survivor’s Turkish version files criminal complaint over ‘leaks’

Özge Eğrikar - ISTANBUL

Acun Medya, the producer of Turkish Survivor, is owned by Acun Ilıcalı, a sports journalist-turned media entrepreneur, who was described in an April article by Bloomberg as “a self-described risk junkie who has quickly emerged as a global force in reality television.”

The company that produces the Turkish version of Survivor, a reality competition television franchise, has filed a criminal complaint over “leaks” on social media that have revealed the weekly winners and loser of the show.

According to legal documents obtained by daily Hürriyet, the complaint filed to the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office by Acun Medya on June 7, lists a number of Instagram accounts accused of leaking “commercial secrets” by publicizing what will happen on the next episode of Survivor.

“These social media accounts have reported which competitor will be eliminated, which one will receive the prize of invincibility and many other issues our viewers have waited to find out,” the petition said, urging the prosecutor to “launch an investigation and ensure the needed security.”

Like most of their international counterparts, the Turkish version of Survivor is a competition between two teams who stay on two islands and face each other in games every week to prevent elimination and win prizes.

Acun Medya is owned by Acun Ilıcalı, a sports journalist-turned media entrepreneur, who was described in an April article by Bloomberg as “a self-described risk junkie who has quickly emerged as a global force in reality television.”