Research on Research on Women in Turkish Women in Turkish

MediaMedia

Research on Research on Women in Turkish Women in Turkish

MediaMediaProf. Dr. Aysel AzizProf. Dr. Aysel Aziz

Arel Üniversitesi Arel Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Dekanıİletişim Fakültesi Dekanı

Introduction:Introduction:

Research on women in Turkish Media will be reviewed from Research on women in Turkish Media will be reviewed from 1960’s up to our time, 2006.1960’s up to our time, 2006.

1. A brief history of Turkish media. 1. A brief history of Turkish media. 2. History of women’s research in decades.2. History of women’s research in decades. 3. Methods and techniques.3. Methods and techniques. 4. Findings of studies on women in Turkish media.4. Findings of studies on women in Turkish media.

Brief history of Turkish media:Brief history of Turkish media:

Turkish Republic was founded in 1923.Turkish Republic was founded in 1923.

There were only a few national newspapers and There were only a few national newspapers and magazines published in İstanbul at that time. These had magazines published in İstanbul at that time. These had limited distrubution countrywide.limited distrubution countrywide.

1925: The first Turkish news agency (Anadolu 1925: The first Turkish news agency (Anadolu Ajansı/Anatolian News Agency/ AA) was founded.Ajansı/Anatolian News Agency/ AA) was founded.

1927: The first radio stations began broadcasting in 1927: The first radio stations began broadcasting in Ankara and İstanbul as commercial/private radio Ankara and İstanbul as commercial/private radio stations. stations.

I936: Government started to own Radio stations.I936: Government started to own Radio stations.

1950-1960: Radio was used for political purposes by the 1950-1960: Radio was used for political purposes by the government.government.

During these years radio broadcasting still had very During these years radio broadcasting still had very limited coverage area.limited coverage area.

Written media improved gradually. However, still was not Written media improved gradually. However, still was not satisfactory in number, circulation and the content.satisfactory in number, circulation and the content.

1961: Radio and television boadcasting became state 1961: Radio and television boadcasting became state owned as autonomous public broadcastings service owned as autonomous public broadcastings service according to the new “1961 Constitution”.according to the new “1961 Constitution”.

1964: TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corparation) 1964: TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corparation) was founded as a state monopoly organisation.was founded as a state monopoly organisation.

1968: First television broadcasting started in Ankara with 1968: First television broadcasting started in Ankara with very limited transmitter power.very limited transmitter power.

1964 – 1980: TRT’s radio broadcasting improved and 1964 – 1980: TRT’s radio broadcasting improved and covered the whole of Turkey at least 3 channels covered the whole of Turkey at least 3 channels providing with good quality broadcasting.providing with good quality broadcasting.

.. 1984-90: TV broadcasting improved; Colour TV, 2th, 1984-90: TV broadcasting improved; Colour TV, 2th,

3rd, and 4th television channels and Internatiol TV 3rd, and 4th television channels and Internatiol TV started and covered the whole of Turkey with at least started and covered the whole of Turkey with at least two TV channels. two TV channels.

1991-1994: Commercial / private TV and radio 1991-1994: Commercial / private TV and radio stations started illegally. stations started illegally.

Within three years, the number of illegal stations Within three years, the number of illegal stations reached 1500 radios; 300 television stations reached 1500 radios; 300 television stations mostly owned by enterprises who were called mostly owned by enterprises who were called “media moguls”. “media moguls”.

Program subjects and formats were different Program subjects and formats were different from those state owned TRT’s radio and from those state owned TRT’s radio and television broadcasting. Turkish audience television broadcasting. Turkish audience showed great interest to these new electronic showed great interest to these new electronic media.media.

2006: Written media; 2006: Written media; 12 daily (appr.) national newspapers with approximately 12 daily (appr.) national newspapers with approximately 6 millions circulation. 6 millions circulation. 20 weekly / monthly magazines. Also there are regional 20 weekly / monthly magazines. Also there are regional and local newspapers.and local newspapers.

2006: Electronic media; 3 types of broadcasting2006: Electronic media; 3 types of broadcasting1. Terresterial broadcasting (15 national, 15 regional and 1. Terresterial broadcasting (15 national, 15 regional and 300 local TV channels) 300 local TV channels) 2. Cable TV (about 60 native and foreign channels)2. Cable TV (about 60 native and foreign channels)3. Digital radio and TV broadcasting (more then 500 3. Digital radio and TV broadcasting (more then 500 native and foreign broadcasting)native and foreign broadcasting)

2006: Film Industry: Native film industry showed great 2006: Film Industry: Native film industry showed great improvements comparing with the previous years.improvements comparing with the previous years.

Early research: In the 1960’sEarly research: In the 1960’s

Early research was sociological research aiming to find Early research was sociological research aiming to find out audience’s reading and listening habits covering both out audience’s reading and listening habits covering both sexes; males and females.sexes; males and females.

Related research was carried out in Istanbul and Ankara Related research was carried out in Istanbul and Ankara by the universities alone or in collobaration with some by the universities alone or in collobaration with some State units and NGO’s. State units and NGO’s.

In this research, there was no emphasis on women and In this research, there was no emphasis on women and media.media.

In the 1970’sIn the 1970’s

There were some improvements in media and women There were some improvements in media and women research in this decade. The factors that provoked and research in this decade. The factors that provoked and influenced research on women and media were:influenced research on women and media were:

Developments in Developments in Women’s RightsWomen’s Rights in the world (e.g. in the world (e.g. Adoption of Women’s Ten Years by the UN: 1975 - Adoption of Women’s Ten Years by the UN: 1975 - 1985) and their influence in Turkey.1985) and their influence in Turkey. Foundation of some NGO’s related with the women’s Foundation of some NGO’s related with the women’s affairs and starting of some feminist movements in affairs and starting of some feminist movements in Turkey.Turkey.(e.g. Women’s Union, Woman’s Federation and some (e.g. Women’s Union, Woman’s Federation and some women’s platforms).women’s platforms).

In 1970’s (con’d)In 1970’s (con’d)

Schools of Broadcasting and Journalism started in Schools of Broadcasting and Journalism started in Ankara, then in İstanbul. Ankara, then in İstanbul.

This gave the opportunity to carry out media research This gave the opportunity to carry out media research

related with women’s affairs both in undergraduate and related with women’s affairs both in undergraduate and graduate levels.graduate levels.

Technical developments in electronic media (esp. Technical developments in electronic media (esp. expansion of radio broadcasting throughout Turkey)expansion of radio broadcasting throughout Turkey)

First research directly releated with women and First research directly releated with women and media sought to measure the effects of media sought to measure the effects of television and radio on women.television and radio on women.

Towards the mid-1970’s two empirical research Towards the mid-1970’s two empirical research were carried out by the School of Broadcasting were carried out by the School of Broadcasting and Journalism of Ankara University, aiming to and Journalism of Ankara University, aiming to measure educational, social and political effects measure educational, social and political effects of television broadcasting on both sexes, with of television broadcasting on both sexes, with emphasis on women.emphasis on women.

In the 1980’sIn the 1980’s Research on women and media, increased drastically Research on women and media, increased drastically

after technical expansion of television broadcasting after technical expansion of television broadcasting throughout Turkey.throughout Turkey.

Also, airing time of radio and television broadcasting Also, airing time of radio and television broadcasting increased and their content became richer and more increased and their content became richer and more colourful.colourful.

TRT also started to conduct research on the audience’s TRT also started to conduct research on the audience’s listenning and viewing habits and attitutes related to listenning and viewing habits and attitutes related to some women’s programs.some women’s programs.

Research on woman and media in universities gained Research on woman and media in universities gained ground.ground.

Profile of women in Latin American television serials Profile of women in Latin American television serials broadcasted in Turkey, introduced a new scope on broadcasted in Turkey, introduced a new scope on research into women in media.research into women in media.

In the 1990’sIn the 1990’s

The number of women and media research has The number of women and media research has remarkably increased. remarkably increased. This was due to the following developments:This was due to the following developments:

After the1991 elections in Turkey, the new coalition After the1991 elections in Turkey, the new coalition government (SHP+DYP) formed a Ministry of State government (SHP+DYP) formed a Ministry of State responsible for women’s affairs: responsible for women’s affairs: ““Directorate General on the Status and Problems of Directorate General on the Status and Problems of Women”Women” This supported both the feminists’ and academicians’ This supported both the feminists’ and academicians’ activities.activities.

In 1991, commercial radio and television broadcasting In 1991, commercial radio and television broadcasting started illegally. They had no limitation on the subjects of started illegally. They had no limitation on the subjects of the programs and profiling of women, esp. on the the programs and profiling of women, esp. on the screen.screen.

In the 1990’s In the 1990’s (con’d)(con’d)

1993: A woman, Prof. Dr. Tansu Çiller, initially became 1993: A woman, Prof. Dr. Tansu Çiller, initially became the head of a political party (DYP/True Path Party) and the head of a political party (DYP/True Path Party) and then, Prime Minister of Turkey. Therefore, representation then, Prime Minister of Turkey. Therefore, representation of women in political scene became even more visible in of women in political scene became even more visible in the media. Representation of political women in media the media. Representation of political women in media increased.increased.

Leading universities, such as İstanbul and Ankara, Leading universities, such as İstanbul and Ankara, founded the first Women’s Studies Centers. founded the first Women’s Studies Centers. Also, some universities, opened graduate programs on Also, some universities, opened graduate programs on women’s studies which specifically focus on media and women’s studies which specifically focus on media and gender problems.gender problems.

2000 – 2006 2000 – 2006

Research on women in Turkish media reached its peak.Research on women in Turkish media reached its peak.

The number of communication faculties reached 27. The number of communication faculties reached 27. Paralell to this, research into the representation of Paralell to this, research into the representation of women in media increased.women in media increased.

Academicians and students both undergraduate and Academicians and students both undergraduate and graduate levels in these faculties are interested in graduate levels in these faculties are interested in handling the woman issues related to media; aiming to handling the woman issues related to media; aiming to measure the effects of the media on woman and the measure the effects of the media on woman and the content of the messages.content of the messages.

2000 – 2006 2000 – 2006 Media covering almost every type of messages related Media covering almost every type of messages related

to women started to be researched into.to women started to be researched into.

National and international firms & organisations support National and international firms & organisations support these types of research projects.these types of research projects.

New media technologies such as video, VCD, DVD and New media technologies such as video, VCD, DVD and finally the Internet merged to media creating new finally the Internet merged to media creating new research subjects related with women.research subjects related with women.

Number of Women Studies Centers reached 6.Number of Women Studies Centers reached 6.

Methods and technicsMethods and technics Generally, the methods and technics used in research Generally, the methods and technics used in research

on Turkish media and women were infleunced by the on Turkish media and women were infleunced by the western countries mainly the USA, the UK, France, western countries mainly the USA, the UK, France, Germany, Holland. From the ’60’s up to 2006- especially Germany, Holland. From the ’60’s up to 2006- especially direct methods and related technics used in the direct methods and related technics used in the researches, were taken from these countries. researches, were taken from these countries.

Early research was mostly descriptive, and questionning Early research was mostly descriptive, and questionning the relationship between events and variables. These the relationship between events and variables. These might be called “audience research”.might be called “audience research”.

Methods and technics (con’d)Methods and technics (con’d)

In the 1990’s media research has changed its structure In the 1990’s media research has changed its structure and nature in terms of methods and technics used. and nature in terms of methods and technics used.

Researching into “Content of the messages” has Researching into “Content of the messages” has become popular. become popular.

Researchers began tho use the methods and related Researchers began tho use the methods and related technics of technics of content analysiscontent analysis and and discourse analysis.discourse analysis. They became more intrested in the content of the media: They became more intrested in the content of the media: What kind of messages media give to the audience and What kind of messages media give to the audience and in what frequency?in what frequency?

Content /discourse analysis:Content /discourse analysis:

““Cultural Indicator Project”:Cultural Indicator Project”:

The most effective project on the women’s portrayal in The most effective project on the women’s portrayal in the Turkish media. It is a well-known, on-going project the Turkish media. It is a well-known, on-going project that has been carried out by the Annenberg School of that has been carried out by the Annenberg School of Communication in Pennsilyvaina, USA, since 1976.Communication in Pennsilyvaina, USA, since 1976.

Content analysis method (covering both message and Content analysis method (covering both message and physical analysis) and related technics used in Turkey physical analysis) and related technics used in Turkey have been about:have been about:

Research topics using content analysis Research topics using content analysis

Educational and cultural messages for women (in all Educational and cultural messages for women (in all media).media).

Portrayal of women in news, news bulletins and news Portrayal of women in news, news bulletins and news programs (in all media).programs (in all media).

Portrayal of women in advertisements (in all media).Portrayal of women in advertisements (in all media). Profile of women in films and serials (in cinema &TV).Profile of women in films and serials (in cinema &TV). Violence and harresment against women in news, Violence and harresment against women in news,

serials and films.serials and films. Women in magazine-type messsages (in all media)Women in magazine-type messsages (in all media)

Model usedModel used

Gaye TuchmannGaye Tuchmann’s 5-scale models were mostly ’s 5-scale models were mostly applied in these research, either implicitly or explicitly. applied in these research, either implicitly or explicitly.

5-scale model representation of women in media5-scale model representation of women in media1.1. Woman is a sex object; dumb-blonde.Woman is a sex object; dumb-blonde.2.2. Woman should stay at home as a housewife (wife and Woman should stay at home as a housewife (wife and

mother or good girl/daughter); traditional portrait;mother or good girl/daughter); traditional portrait;3.3. Woman may work outside doing womanly works; while Woman may work outside doing womanly works; while

man works at home doing manly works;man works at home doing manly works;4.4. Both sexes are equal in every aspect of the life;Both sexes are equal in every aspect of the life;5.5. Both men and women are individuals; there is no Both men and women are individuals; there is no

superiority or inferiority between the sexes.superiority or inferiority between the sexes.

Some findings of the women-media Some findings of the women-media researchresearch

Women as audience /consumer:Women as audience /consumer:

Women consume the written media less than electronic Women consume the written media less than electronic media. media.

Women show more interest in television broadcasting, Women show more interest in television broadcasting, than newspapers and magazines esp. among the less than newspapers and magazines esp. among the less educated women.educated women.

In television viewing, their preferences are focused on In television viewing, their preferences are focused on esp. native serials as well as imported serial and films.esp. native serials as well as imported serial and films.

Live programs for women esp. reality shows, related Live programs for women esp. reality shows, related directly with women’s issues, draw more attention of directly with women’s issues, draw more attention of women audience.women audience.

Some findings of the women-media Some findings of the women-media research (con’d)research (con’d)Women as audience /consumerWomen as audience /consumer

Informative messages on health, nutrition, fashion, child Informative messages on health, nutrition, fashion, child care, cooking etc. are listened, viewed and read by the care, cooking etc. are listened, viewed and read by the most adult female audience.most adult female audience.

Young females are more affected by the messages Young females are more affected by the messages related with fashion and life style of models, actrises, related with fashion and life style of models, actrises, singers etc. (role modelling)singers etc. (role modelling)

Political messages do not have significant influence on Political messages do not have significant influence on the political decision of women voters.the political decision of women voters.

Women are influenced by the advertisements presented Women are influenced by the advertisements presented by media. However, they are sceptical and hesitant in by media. However, they are sceptical and hesitant in buying goods and services presented by the media.buying goods and services presented by the media.

Research findings related to the content Research findings related to the content of the messagesof the messages

Profile of women in media change from one medium to Profile of women in media change from one medium to other.other.

Representation of women in news, news programs are Representation of women in news, news programs are less than men and this does not reflect the women’s place less than men and this does not reflect the women’s place in real life.in real life.

Woman generally takes place in magazine programs and Woman generally takes place in magazine programs and shows rather as a model, singer, actress in sexy dresses.shows rather as a model, singer, actress in sexy dresses.

A woman takes place in the news, if she is involved in a A woman takes place in the news, if she is involved in a

scandal, attacked, subjected to violence or harrassment, is scandal, attacked, subjected to violence or harrassment, is a victim of honor killing, involved in a robbery, murder etc.; a victim of honor killing, involved in a robbery, murder etc.; very rarely, with her sucsess.very rarely, with her sucsess.

Research findings related to the content Research findings related to the content of the messages (con’d)of the messages (con’d)

Women are presented in TV serials either as a sex Women are presented in TV serials either as a sex object, in traditional way of life or working in womanly object, in traditional way of life or working in womanly jobs outside. Representation of women with these jobs outside. Representation of women with these stereotypings create misunderstanding about women’s stereotypings create misunderstanding about women’s place in social life.place in social life.

Women in advertisements were mostly sex objects and Women in advertisements were mostly sex objects and housewives in the early years of television and in written housewives in the early years of television and in written media. media.

This has been changing gradually in the last 15 years.This has been changing gradually in the last 15 years.

As a result of these types of representation of women in As a result of these types of representation of women in media, women are streotyped as complaining, lacking media, women are streotyped as complaining, lacking skills for solving problems, needing help, confused, skills for solving problems, needing help, confused, talking too much, having no idea even in simple matters, talking too much, having no idea even in simple matters, and inferior to men.and inferior to men.

ConclusionConclusion

Research into women and media in Research into women and media in Turkey, have almost 40 years of history. Turkey, have almost 40 years of history. Depending on the developments in media Depending on the developments in media and feminist activities in the world and in and feminist activities in the world and in Turkey, the profile of women changed Turkey, the profile of women changed gradually from being a sex object, gradually from being a sex object, traditional way of living as a housewife to traditional way of living as a housewife to the modern profile of women.the modern profile of women.