Certainly looks like opinions have changed since Erdogan took over.
Turkey turns from promising to authoritarian in world media coverage
November 22, 2014, Saturday/ 17:00:00/ SEVGİ AKARÇEŞME / ISTANBUL
In complete consensus, observers of Turkish politics agree that the coverage of Turkey in the international media has turned from positive to negative in recent years due to rising authoritarianism and questionable remarks that aim to win the hearts of domestic constituencies.
A Google search on Turkey in the news easily reveals the predominance of stories that revolve around the awkward statements of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is effectively the only man in charge in Turkey since he has consolidated his power increasingly since 2002. Most recently Erdoğan has occupied the headlines of major news outlets in the world with his argument that it was actually Muslims who discovered the Americas before Columbus. These reports were followed by sarcastic comments from readers in America, but it was the lavish new “Ak Saray” (White Palace), with its 1,000 rooms, that carried Erdoğan and Turkey into the headlines in the first place. Compared to the extravagant palace that cost TL 1.3 billion ($666 million), the new private jet and brand new car have remained smaller details, but they also became talking points when the matter of Turkey was mentioned.
Reports on irresponsible and extravagant use of public money have been criticized at home, but Turkey's coverage on issues such as the new palace and private jet that overshadow critical domestic political issues did not start overnight. Since the massive corruption scandal broke on Dec. 17, the erosion of the rule of law and separation of powers has been on the agenda of international media especially due to the leaked voice recordings between Erdoğan and his son Bilal in which the former allegedly asks the latter to hide massive amounts of cash. According to Erdoğan and the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government, there is a deliberate campaign in the international media to undermine Turkey, particularly since the Gezi Park protests in 2013. However, it was the same media outlets that praised the policies of the AK Party in its initial years that the government did not accuse of plotting.
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Turkey turns from promising to authoritarian in world media coverage
Turkey turns from promising to authoritarian in world media coverage
November 22, 2014, Saturday/ 17:00:00/ SEVGİ AKARÇEŞME / ISTANBUL
In complete consensus, observers of Turkish politics agree that the coverage of Turkey in the international media has turned from positive to negative in recent years due to rising authoritarianism and questionable remarks that aim to win the hearts of domestic constituencies.
A Google search on Turkey in the news easily reveals the predominance of stories that revolve around the awkward statements of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is effectively the only man in charge in Turkey since he has consolidated his power increasingly since 2002. Most recently Erdoğan has occupied the headlines of major news outlets in the world with his argument that it was actually Muslims who discovered the Americas before Columbus. These reports were followed by sarcastic comments from readers in America, but it was the lavish new “Ak Saray” (White Palace), with its 1,000 rooms, that carried Erdoğan and Turkey into the headlines in the first place. Compared to the extravagant palace that cost TL 1.3 billion ($666 million), the new private jet and brand new car have remained smaller details, but they also became talking points when the matter of Turkey was mentioned.
Reports on irresponsible and extravagant use of public money have been criticized at home, but Turkey's coverage on issues such as the new palace and private jet that overshadow critical domestic political issues did not start overnight. Since the massive corruption scandal broke on Dec. 17, the erosion of the rule of law and separation of powers has been on the agenda of international media especially due to the leaked voice recordings between Erdoğan and his son Bilal in which the former allegedly asks the latter to hide massive amounts of cash. According to Erdoğan and the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government, there is a deliberate campaign in the international media to undermine Turkey, particularly since the Gezi Park protests in 2013. However, it was the same media outlets that praised the policies of the AK Party in its initial years that the government did not accuse of plotting.
Continue reading at:
Turkey turns from promising to authoritarian in world media coverage
