Media Framing of “Ultimatum, No Thanks” Protests in North Macedonia: Analyzing Nationalist Confrontation and Ethnic Solidarity Frames

Year 2024, Issue: 46, 117 - 143, 31.12.2024

Samet Yerköy

https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1489475

Abstract

This article examines the media framing of the demonstrations in North Macedonia’s capital against
the French proposal aimed at resolving the country’s dispute with Bulgaria and initiating EU accession
talks. The protests, held from July 2, 2022 to July 16, 2022 under the slogan “Ultimatum, No Thanks,”
reflected widespread opposition to the proposal, which many saw as detrimental to Macedonian national
interests. Through a qualitative analysis of media coverage, specifically focusing on online media outlets,
the study explores how different frames, such as Nationalist Confrontation and Ethnic Solidarity, shaped
public discourse and perceptions of the protests. The government’s portrayal of the proposal as protecting
the Macedonian language and identity contrasts sharply with the opposition’s view of it as leading to
the ‘Bulgarization’ of the nation. This research fills a crucial gap in understanding the interplay between
identity politics, diplomatic negotiations, and media representation in times of high political tension. The
issue remains highly relevant today as it continues to be a significant obstacle to North Macedonia’s EU
accession. The findings suggest that media framing significantly influences public opinion and political
outcomes. Furthermore, the study highlights the broader implications for interethnic relations in the
Western Balkans and the ongoing EU accession processes.

Keywords

Media framing, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, EU accession, Western Balkans

Kuzey Makedonya’da “Ültimatom, Hayır Teşekkürler” Protestolarının Medya Çerçevelemesi: Milliyetçi Çatışma ve Etnik Dayanışma Çerçevelerinin Analizi

Abstract

Bu makale, Kuzey Makedonya’nın başkentinde, ülkenin Bulgaristan’la olan anlaşmazlığını çözmeyi ve
AB katılım müzakerelerini başlatmayı amaçlayan Fransız önerisine karşı düzenlenen gösterilerin medya
çerçevesini incelemektedir. “Ültimatom, Hayır Teşekkürler” sloganı altında 2 Temmuz 2022’den 16 Temmuz
2022’ye kadar düzenlenen protestolar, birçok kişinin Makedonya’nın ulusal çıkarlarına zarar verdiğini
düşündüğü teklife karşı yaygın muhalefeti yansıtmıştır. Özellikle internet gazetelerine odaklanarak
medyada yer alan haberlerin nitel bir analizini yapan bu çalışma, Milliyetçi Çatışma ve Etnik Dayanışma
gibi farklı çerçevelerin kamu söylemini ve protestolara ilişkin algıları nasıl şekillendirdiğini araştırmaktadır.
Hükümetin öneriyi Makedon dilini ve kimliğini korumak olarak tanımlaması, muhalefetin öneriyi
ulusun ‘Bulgarlaşmasına’ yol açacağı yönündeki görüşüyle keskin bir tezat oluşturmuştur. Bu araştırma,
siyasi gerilimin yüksek olduğu dönemlerde kimlik politikaları, diplomatik müzakereler ve medya temsili
arasındaki etkileşimi anlamamızda önemli bir boşluğu doldurmaktadır. Konu, Kuzey Makedonya’nın AB
üyeliği önünde önemli bir engel olmaya devam ettiği için bugün de oldukça güncelliğini korumaktadır.
Bulgular, medya çerçevelemesinin kamuoyunu ve siyasi sonuçları önemli ölçüde etkilediğini göstermektedir.
Ayrıca çalışma, Batı Balkanlar’daki etnik gruplar arası ilişkiler ve devam eden AB katılım süreçleri için daha
geniş kapsamlı çıkarımların altını çizmektedir.

Keywords

Medya çerçevelemesi, Kuzey Makedonya, Bulgaristan, AB üyeliği, Batı Balkanlar

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