Hot Topic - Media in Turkey
That politicians seek to control media is the single, universal truth in the relationship between politicians and media. The most authoritarian politicians demand absolute authority over media. More often than not the politicians win. There are no exceptions.
The World Association of Newspapers and Newspaper Publishers (WAN-IFRA) resolution and report critical of Turkish government pressures on press freedom hasn’t set well with all Turkish media with three groups strongly criticizing accusations against the ruling Justice and Development Party of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
That all politicians seek to control all media is an undeniable reality. Imperious politicians seek that control imperiously. Progress in press freedom remains illusive.
Location, of course, plays to the advantage of the World Economic Forum being in Davos, Switzerland. It’s tough getting there. Ten hours by train from Geneva when the helicopters are all booked. Even at that the WEF seems a million miles from anywhere, which is, of course, the point.
Politicians and media owners endure each other, often uneasily. Occasional snipping, back and forth, is healthy. Pushed to frenzy, these clashes never end well.
Turkey’s parliament debated long into the night and passed amendments to a notorious defamation law. Media watchers want more. Opposition politicians want less. Turkish media is tired of hearing about it.
With so many investors running, not walking, away from media deals at least one media giant still has an appetite.
Hrant Dink, gunned down in Istanbul, became the latest journalist murder victim to attract world-wide media coverage. The day-time Friday shooting on a busy “European side” of Istanbul street, his newspaper office in sight, became a call to outrage. Perhaps editors could not resist the AP and AFP photos of the sheet covered body, boots and blood visible. Instant death: instant pictures.
See also...
Media in Turkey
With roots in the East and branches in the West, media in Turkey is big, bold and sometimes government controlled. This ftm Knowledge file shows the size and the shape of this rich media market. 30 pages PDF includes Resources (December 2009)
ftm Members
Available at no charge to ftm Members, others from €49
Order
|
Media in Russia – new
Media in Russia is big business and big politics. Media companies are consolidating as they move into new media and new territories. At the same time independence is still questioned. It's all changing. ftm looks at media in Russia and its neighbors, includes Resources, 124 pages. PDF file (January 2012)
Press/Media Freedom - Challenges and Concerns
Press and media freedom worldwide is facing challenges from many corners. As authoritarian leaders impose strict control over traditional and new media with impunity, media watchers have concerns for democracy. This ftm Knowledge file accounts the troubles of this difficult decade. 88 pages. PDF (December 2011)
Europe's Radio - Western Europe
Opportunity meets tradition in Western Europe's radio broadcasting. Change has come fast and yet oh, so slowly. This ftm Knowledge file contains material and resources on public and private radio broadcasting in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland. 156 pages. Resources. PDF (December 2011)
More ftm Knowledge files here
Become an ftm Individual or Corporate Member and receive Knowledge files at no charge. JOIN HERE!
ftm Knowledge files are available to non-Members at €49 each. The charge to Individual Site Members is €15 each.
|
|
