(Person) Percentage - Sabanci University Research Database

The Asian Media & Mass Communication Conference 2010 Osaka, Japan
Revolution: “being federalist or republican”, there is no other option. However the division
does not start firstly in the media. Division in media follows the division in social structure.
Federalists do not sympathize with press freedom. On the other hand republicans do believe in
press freedom and do realize the vital importance of press freedom for American democracy.
Despite everything the Constitution had been approved in 1788 (Sandman vd., 1972: 31-32).
During this period federalists dominated the press (Schudson, 2003).
Partisan press had its golden age the last quarter of 18 th century. In 18 th century and
even in 19 th and 20 th century opinions and interpretations are mixed up about partisan press.
Moreover this situation is valid even for the same article (Sandman vd., 1972: 34). In 19 th
century partisanship in American journalism is extremely high (Schudson, 2003). Partisan
press goes on until the 20 th century. In second half of 19 th century political culture too is
partisan (Kaplan, 2002). Partisanship continues in 1800-1830 and certainly this situation is
reflected in press. Newspapers support parties instead of supporting the candidates. However
the beginning of 20 th century newspapers breaks their ties with political parties and journalism
for the public became important. Ethical rules as well as objectiveness principles become the
most crucial concerns in journalism.
From State Newspaper to Partisan Press: Press in Turkey
First newspaper in Turkish Takvim-i Vakayi was published in November 11 th , 1831 by
the efforts of reformist Sultan II. Mahmud (Topuz, 1996: 7). This newspaper is published 227
years after the first published newspaper in the world. Takvim-i Vakayi was the official
newspaper until November 4 th , 1922 with short term interruptions (Gevgilili, Yılsız: 39).
Under the rule of Ottoman Empire other newspapers were published. One of them published
by Şinasi, representative of the bureaucracy considers the newspaper as a part of education.
According to him the newspaper should have an educative-instructive mission through which
the public will learn how to think. Name he chooses for the newspaper reflects also this idea
(Özerkan ve Kabaş, 2005: 199).
During The Ottoman Empire, press was under censorship, received penalties, and was
sanctioned by law for long periods. Even though there were few newspapers during this
period they all received penalties and stopped being published (Topuz, 1996). Newspapers
devoted themselves to acquire independence during the War of Indenpence of Turks against
imperialists. One of them is Hakimiyeti Milliye newspaper. During the national war
journalists supported and even took part in the Independence War. Hasan Tahsin is one of
them (Topuz, 1996: 75). Ulus newspaper is the voice of first republican party (CHP) of
Turkish Republic founded in October 29 th , 1923 where Atatürk’s reforms are diffused to
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