Experts note that in the past, more printed newspapers entered publication during election periods, but during this election process, a boom is expected mainly in news websites launching online and YouTube channels on YouTube. Stating that he expects a significant increase in political content sharing, especially on social media, Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan said, 'I estimate there are around 10,000 news websites in Turkey. This number will further increase during this election period.' Emphasizing the importance of diverse media in a healthy election process, İrvan stated that citizens' expectations from the media are to provide full and accurate information regarding political developments, parties' and candidates' projects and promises, and to conduct objective journalism.
Diverse Media is Important in the Election Process!
Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan, Head of the Journalism Department at Uskudar University Faculty of Communication, made evaluations regarding the media's activity and the importance of diverse voices during the election process.
More New Newspapers Used to Emerge During Election Periods…
Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan stated that in the past, more printed newspapers started publishing during election periods, adding, 'A large portion of these would be to get a share of the political advertisements and commercials to be published during the election process, and most of them would quietly close down after the elections.'
Increase in News Website Numbers Expected in This Election
Noting that a boom in news websites online and YouTube channels is likely to occur today, Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan also made evaluations regarding Sözcü TV, which recently started broadcasting. İrvan said, 'Today, perhaps only in local media might such newspapers begin publishing, but I don't think this will happen at a national level. The Sözcü TV example is, in my opinion, a different one. As far as I know, the Sözcü group had been working for several years to establish a television channel. During this election process, a boom is expected primarily in news websites launching online and YouTube channels on YouTube. I particularly anticipate a significant increase in political content sharing on social media. I estimate there are around 10,000 news websites in Turkey. This number will further increase during this election period.'
Traditional Media Still Considered the Most Reliable Source
Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan stated that the most significant advantage of traditional media is that, despite all its challenges, it is still considered a reliable source of news. He said, 'In today's political campaigns, leaders and parties can directly reach voters through their social media accounts, but nevertheless, the impact of traditional media on voter behavior should not be underestimated. The most significant advantage of traditional media is that, despite all its difficulties, they are still considered reliable news sources. For example, according to the 2022 Digital News Report jointly prepared by Oxford University and the Reuters Institute, traditional media organizations such as Fox Haber, Sözcü, Cumhuriyet, NTV, CNN Türk, and Haber Türk are among the most trusted news sources.'
Traditional Media Cannot Be Neglected
Therefore, Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan emphasized that being newsworthy in traditional media is still very important in political campaigns. He said, 'The biggest advantage of these media organizations is that they offer an easier way for political parties and leaders to convey their messages to voters. Furthermore, a characteristic of traditional media organizations is that they are followed by voters with different political tendencies. For these reasons, traditional media is of unneglectable importance.'
Media Must Practice Objective Journalism
Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan also made evaluations regarding the effective and qualified use of media during the election process. He said, 'Even though the Turkish media largely presents a polarized structure and has high party alignment, as citizens, our expectation from the media is to fully and accurately inform us about political developments, parties' and candidates' projects and promises, and to practice objective journalism. Only by doing so can it contribute to the establishment of a healthy democracy. Partisan/militant journalism, from whatever side, results in the disregard of facts. Journalists and media organizations can, of course, take sides, but this partisanship should not result in disinformation in the sense of distorting facts. As citizens, we must also push the media to engage in public interest journalism. We must expose deliberately distorted news and be able to filter media content critically. This is what I understand by the qualified use of media.'
Diverse Media is Crucial in a Healthy Election Process
Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan pointed out the importance of a diverse media landscape for a healthy election period. He said, 'In multi-party/fragmented political systems like Turkey, large parties are particularly more advantageous in terms of utilizing traditional media. According to the statement made by the Supreme Election Council on March 11, there are exactly 36 political parties eligible to participate in the general elections to be held on May 14, 2023. So, how will smaller parties, whose names we haven't heard, make their voices heard? This is where diverse media comes into play.'
Responsibilities Also Fall on Citizens
Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan stated that internet media and social media, in particular, will help every party and candidate running a good campaign to make their voices heard. He said, 'Social media will undoubtedly be very influential in these elections. It is extremely important for the future of our democracy that not only parties and candidates but also citizens use social media effectively and efficiently, avoid manipulative content, prevent the circulation of distorted content characterized as disinformation, promptly remove such content if it enters circulation, and that independent and impartial fact-checking platforms monitor the process more actively.'