ELLE Turkey becomes the first fashion magazine to be banned for children

In a major blow to the print industry, the Turkish edition of ELLE magazine will only be sold to those over the age of 18.

The restriction comes after articles and images inside this month’s edition were found to contain “obscene content”, according to a prime ministerial committee.

It’s still unclear exactly which images caused offence but they were enough for the Turkish government to impose serious penalties on the publication.

ELLE Turkey will now only be sold inside an envelope or plastic casing and will be required to have a ‘Harmful to Minors’ stamp on the cover.

The current issue features British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley on the cover with previous cover stars including actresses Michelle Williams and Gwyneth Paltrow and model Miranda Kerr.

ELLE‘s Turkish publisher have said they intend to appeal the ruling.

This is one of the first times that a fashion magazine has received such serious treatment. In 2015, a failed campaign against Cosmopolitan magazine demanded that the publication be displayed behind an opaque wrapper and not sold to minors.

“In recent years, Cosmopolitan magazine has blatantly started to target young girls to expand their audience and increase profits,” stated the National Centre on Sexual Exploitation. “Cosmopolitan is a porn magazine, glamourising things like public, anal, group, or violent sex in nearly all of their issues.”

“Cosmo is leading the way in further desensitising young women and girls to accept and participate in the pornified and sexually violent culture around them. We are asking that Cosmo be sold to adults only and have the cover wrapped like all other porn magazines in retail shops.”

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