Abstract:

In this study the Turkish population-oriented propaganda activities via newspapers of the Communist Party which came to power in Bulgaria in 1944 will be discussed. Beginning with the 20th century propaganda methods in order to shape the perceptions of societies have seriously developed all over the world but especially in Europe. After the Communist revolution in Bulgaria, Bulgarian governments began to use the newspapers intensively for the purpose of introducing and imposing the new regime to the society. However, Bulgaria's historical and ethnic structure was not fully separated from the Republic of Turkey, and before then from the Ottoman Empire. Although Bulgaria declared independence in 1878, the Turks constituted almost half of its total population. Undoubtedly, the population balance was the biggest problem of the newly established Bulgarian State. The government, which wanted to Bulgarianize different nations since its establishment, immediately started to assimilation activities. However, Turks among these nations resisted to this intentional assimilation process. In order to break the resistance, Bulgarian administrators tried to create a new Turkish population which is genuinely socialist and has no firm ties with Turkey. The newspapers had an important role in this long-term plan. Especially after 1980, the newspapers in Turkish and published within the framework of the Communist Party’s orders, was oriented to impose communism to the Turks. More importantly, there had been an intense propaganda in these newspapers aimed at preventing the migration of the Turks to Turkey. The articles on the bad straits in Turkey and the problems of the immigrants were used in order to discourage Turks to migrate and make them turn away from Turkey. In this study, by examining the literature sources and the New Light newspaper, the content and use of the propaganda towards the Turks of Bulgaria will be revealed.

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Abstract:

In this study the Turkish population-oriented propaganda activities via newspapers of the Communist Party which came to power in Bulgaria ın 1944 will be discussed. Beginning with the XXth century propaganda methods in order to shape the perceptions of societies have seriously developed all over the world but especially in Europe. After the Communist revolution in Bulgaria, Bulgarian governments began to use the newspapers intensively for the purpose of introducing and imposing the new regime to the society. However, Bulgaria's historical and ethnic structure was not fully separated from the Republic of Turkey, and before then from the Ottoman Empire. Although Bulgaria declared independence in 1878, the Turks constituted almost half of its total population. Undoubtedly, the population balance was the biggest problem of the newly established Bulgarian State. The government, which wanted to Bulgarianize different nations since its establishment, immediately started to assimilation activities. However, Turks amongst these nations resisted to this intentional assimilation process. In order to break the resistance Bulgarian administrators tried to create a new Turkish population which is genuinely socialist and have no firm ties with Turkey. The newspapers had an important role in this long-term plan. Especially after 1980, the newspapers in Turkish and published within the framework of the Communist Party’s orders, was oriented to impose communism to the Turks. More importantly, there had been an intensive propaganda in these newspapers aimed to prevent the migration of the Turks to Turkey. The articles on the bad straits in Turkey and the problems of the immigrants were used in order to discourage Turks to migrate and make them turn away from Turkey. In this study, by examining the literature sources and Yeni Işık newspaper, the content and usage of the propaganda towards the Turks of Bulgaria will be revealed.