Abstract
This paper explores how Turkey is using social media via Twitter, a public relations strategy, to spread its messages and to establish itself within the international community. Turkey appears to be situating itself as a European, progressive, democratic, secular and Muslim nation that has the potential to influence nations in the Middle East. The rise of social media has revolutionized the way states communicate with the international community. To that end, this study analyzed three top Turkish governmental officials’ personal and official Twitter accounts to examine how Turkey is cultivating its national image using Twitter. The findings suggest Turkey is wielding its soft-power in both the West and the Middle East/North Africa regions. Yet the quantitative analysis reveals that the western emphasis is more prominent in the messages. In its Twitter messages, the Turkish government follows an image cultivation and information subsidy approach in public diplomacy. Contrary to the highly interactive features of this social media tool, Turkish bureaucracy is not engaged in building relationships with its publics through Twitter.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
