Monthly Archives: June 2013
What do the Istanbul protesters think? First survey
From Nigar Göksel (ESI): Finally a survey giving a sense of who is on the streets protesting – by Bilgi Univ – after talking to 3000): 70 percent do not identify with any political party. pro-freedom (ozgurlukcu) is the label … Continue reading
Hitting a road bump
President Abdullah Gül sent a couple of messages that underlined the spirit of soft power. “Democracy is not just about voting [someone into power]; the message has been received. What is necessary will be done,” he said. On Tuesday it … Continue reading
İstanbul’s ‘one minute!’ to Erdoğan
If there are messages sent out by the days-long “cultural revolt” starting from İstanbul and spilling over to other cities, their address is exclusively Turkey’s prime minister. Whether or not Erdoğan will have the will and time to sit back, … Continue reading
Cause and effect
Many of us here in Turkey will continue to scrutinize the Justice and Development Party (AKP) policies as independent intellectuals, rigorously distinguishing right from wrong on the scales of fairness, conscience and universal principles of democracy. Two quotes from Karl … Continue reading
Kulturkampf out in the open
A law on its way to being implemented — if ratified by the president — to restrict the advertising and selling of alcohol… A “kissing ban” on couples in subway stations by the Ankara Municipality so that passengers will “act … Continue reading
Destructive obsession with news control: The case with Anatolian Agency
The problems with Turkey’s already deeply problematic media are multiplying. The news analysis in Today’s Zaman on May 19 made clear that it was not only freedom and independence, but also diversity in the Turkish media — the third basic … Continue reading