The Impact of New Media on Democracy and Human Rights Advocacy in the Middle East: A Study of Turkey (2010–2024)

Öz

This study looks at how digital media has changed democracy and human rights advocacy in the Middle East, with a special focus on Turkey between 2010 and 2024. Particularly as traditional media channels grew more constrained, new media platforms like social media, blogs, and digital outlets have offered substitute venues for political expression, activity, and mobilization. Notwithstanding Turkey's democratic system, dissent and free speech were hampered by the emergence of authoritarianism, media censorship, and human rights abuses. Although official surveillance, legal crackdowns, and digital repression pose serious obstacles to new media, which has developed as a crucial advocacy tool, questions have been raised regarding its viability and impact. Habermas's Public Sphere Theory, which highlights the media's function in promoting public discussions that are vital to democracy, serves as the study's compass. According to the study, new media was essential to massive mobilizations like the Gezi Park demonstrations because it revealed violations of human rights and raised awareness of Turkey's domestic conflicts throughout the world. However, the promise of new media to promote long-lasting democratic change was curtailed by repressive policies, internet shutdowns, and government targeting of digital activists. In order to maintain democracy and human rights advocacy, the report suggests bolstering protections for digital rights, stepping up foreign support for media freedom in Turkey, and funding independent media and digital literacy initiatives.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• New Media
• Democracy
• Human Rights
• Digital Activism
• Turkey.

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