Özet:

Turkey, inheriting a wreckage in many areas from the Ottoman Empire, attached great importance to the press, especially in its early years. The young Republic extensively utilized the press to create the necessary national and citizenship consciousness during its establishment. However, during this process, it faced criticism for exerting pressure on the press. This study, based on a literature review, aims to uncover the processes that Turkish media has gone through from the Ottoman era to the present day and seeks to address these criticisms. In this context, the press, perceived as a threat to the government, was eventually established by the state, but it was also used as a tool to protect the government's interests. Oppositional media was eliminated through severe sanctions. Atatürk, who recognized the importance of the press during the early years of the Republic and even during the Turkish War of Independence, made significant efforts to promote the development of Turkish media. He understood that the press played a crucial role in conveying and internalizing the revolutionary changes of the newly founded Republic to the public. However, while doing so, he also worked on creating the necessary infrastructure for an independent, autonomous, and professional press. The extraordinary conditions of the time sometimes led to increased government control over the press. However, it is essential to evaluate historical events within the context of the prevailing conditions of the era as a whole. In the later stages of the Republic, Turkish media made significant technological advancements and gained an important position worldwide. However, there have been debates regarding the content that emerged during this period.

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