Comparing Online Alternative and Mainstream Media in Turkey: Coverage of the TEKEL Workers Protest Against Privatization

Abstract

Challenging the dominance of mainstream media, this study questions the role of alternative news media in Turkey based on the approach that positions alternative media as an alternative to mainstream media. Quantitative content analysis is carried out with a particular focus on the antiprivatization protest by workers of the Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Salt and Alcohol Enterprises (TEKEL). It has been found that alternative media showed support for TEKEL workers by employing a tone in favor of the protesters. However, evidence from the research indicates that the depiction of the TEKEL workers protest by alternative media, to a large extent, relies on mainstream framing practices.