Author(s): Ekmel GEÃER, Åerif ARSLAN
Having the problematic media and power relations in hand in Turkey, this study aims to look for how the columnists in specific mainstream media outlets cope with the news production problems, are they able to handle sensitive issues in a freer way, are they biased and if they can survive in this chaotic atmosphere. While doing this we will also see, based on what motives are they writing their articles, how the political approaches and their leaders are handled, is it possible to see diversification in the columns or the power-media dealings cause a visible standardisation? Lastly answering these questions the study seek to find out how the news procduction and op-ed/coloumns practicises are performed in a country like Turkey which is described as an example of ‘developed democracy’ among the mid-eastern countires. To be able to answer the research questions mentioned above, five of the most widely read/displayed columnists of the five mainstream newspapers (Akit, Birgün, Hürriyet, Ortado?u, Özgür Gündem and Sözcü) have been investigated through content analysis method. The selection method for these newspapers based on their different political backgrounds and the columns determined by their clickthrough rate on related newspapers’ websites.
The Journal of International Social Research received 8982 citations as per Google Scholar report
