‘If Susurluk had been solved, we would not be facing Ergenekon’
Former Culture and Tourism Minister Fikri Sağlar, one of the most active members of the parliamentary commission set up to investigate a 1996 car accident that led to the discovery of links between the state and criminal elements, has said if a journal kept by former Naval Commander retired Adm.
The ‘YouTube effect’ in Turkish politics by EMRE USLU & ÖNDER AYTAÇ
It’s no secret that widely used technological innovations fundamentally change people’s political behaviors. The Internet is one of the technological innovations that dramatically changed the behaviors of politicians, constituencies and political parties.
Turkey: Conflict between government and largest media group
In recent weeks Turkey’s government and largest independent media group, Dogan Holding, have been in the midst of a fierce battle.
Dogan Holding operates in TV, radio broadcasting, print and online media. Dogan publishes seven newspapers including Hurriyet, Milliyet, Radikal, Posta, Fanatik, Referans and Turkish Daily News.
The Dogan family holds the presidency of the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association, Tusaid. For the last six years Tusaid has provided much needed support, international and domestic legitimacy Turkish Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP). However, over the past few months, their relationship has begun to
sour.
In an interview with the Sabah ombudsman, Yavuz Baydar, Editors Weblog asked several questions about the current crisis in the Turkish media and what this means for the future.
Sabah is a leading independent Turkish daily with a circulation of 479,000 in 2007. ……………
AKP , discourse polarization and party discipline
H. Akin Unver
The agenda unchanged, politicians deny and ignore
Days pass, weeks and months. As the mainly pious and silently dynamic but (because of rough and "local" domestic dogfights) rather confused masses prepare for yet another bayram — over which there now seems to have emerged a completely useless row over whether it should be called Şeker Bayramı (Sugar Holiday) or Ramazan Bayramı — the agenda of Turkey still seems unchanged, as well as untouched and untouchable.
Nation-state, Turkish military and the EU
Is the Turkish military in favor of Turkey’s accession to the EU? Given the lack of enthusiasm on the part of the EU and the Turkish government at the moment, this question may appear rather irrelevant. But to understand the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government slowing down on the EU reforms, providing an answer to this question is important.
Which paper had the most coverage on Turkey?
I got upset while watching a debate between Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu from the Republican People’s Party (CHP). It was surely fun to witness such a confrontation, considering that we are part of a nation eager to watch a fight.
Will political tension escalate?
The event which attracted the most attention from mass media last week was the dispute between Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Who was the winner in the Fırat-Kılıçdaroğlu debate?
After exchanging harsh words and directing strong accusations at each other for days, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat and Republican People’s Party (CHP) parliamentary group deputy chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu came together for a debate in Parliament on Thursday.
With or without a headscarf
I have not accepted the headscarf ban since the end of the 1980s. I have always criticized it. I called this ban a disgrace. I said it was against equality. I have said this ban was against democracy. I have the same ideas today, as well.
Hrant will not come back
More details of the murder of Hrant Dink are revealed day by day. Capt. Hüsamettin Polat, who spoke as an eyewitness during the trial of the gendarmerie officers who were being charged with dereliction of duty, said they received notice of Hrant Dink’s murder before it happened and that Col.
The Gülen group and the Kurdish problem
Despite the fact that it brings together representatives from different factions, steps taken by the Abant Platform are always analyzed in concert with the Gülen group.
Who was the victor in this face-off?
Yesterday’s debate between AK Party Deputy Chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat, and the CHP’s top deputy, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, did not in fact wind up "revealing" the truth.
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