FAILURE OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TURKISH STATE AND CIVIL SOCIETY: THE REGULATION PROCESS OF MEDIA

Abstract

Civil society, a paradoxical term, has always been an issue of debate for the political thinkers who have been discussing the term for centuries. In this study, it is claimed that civil society in Turkey has not been in a proliferating position. The primary concern of the study is the extremely narrow space allowed for the activities of civil society without the state\'s supervision and the role of the media within the frontiers of that space which are drawn by the state itself along with the gigantic international and national monopolies. There has been serious debate over the civil society and its regulation by the intervention of the state. Thus, this reality has experienced sharp criticism and opposition. The Turkish state has been insistent while controlling civil society and thus, there is a similar appearance with the West regarding the prominent relationship: the state versus media. Civil society in Turkey has been strapped by governmental chains and civil liberties have been jeopardized. In brief, the control and the regulation of civil society have been detrimental to democracy and unfortunately, the Turkish media has had its part while being conquered by the global monopolies