THE CREDIBILITY OF TURKISH SATELLITE NEWS TELEVISIONS IN THE EYES OF TURKISH ELITES”, SURVEY STUDY

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to gain insight about the credibility of Turkish news channels from the perspectives of Turkish Elites. This research aims to determine the credibility of these Turkish news channels in terms of Turkish elites by testing these channels according to some determined criteria regarding their importance in the media and to specify their commitment to the credibility standards determined in accordance with the literature on media. In this regard, measurement of credibility was identified to be the criterion for determining commitment level to credibility. The problem of the study was to what extent Turkish satellite news channels committed to the credibility from the perspective of Turkish elites. The research was designed to be a descriptive and interpretive study. A questionnaire was administered to Turkish elites (233) selected by purposeful sampling. This study included three graphics and twenty-seven tables. 14 Turkish satellite news channels were determined to be the sample in this study. In order to rank these channels in terms of viewer potential, the best three channels were selected. At the end of the study, it was concluded that Haber Türk channel was ranked first, NTV Türkiye channel was the second and TRT Haber was ranked third regarding viewer potential. In addition, Turkish elites (research sample) stated that Turkish satellite news channels had high level of credibility standards. Thus, the hypothesis urging that there was a positive relationship between viewing potential and credibility levels of Turkish satellite news was confirmed.