Social Media, A New Public Sphere?

Prof. Asl TunFebruary 7, 2014Social Media, A New Public Sphere?

Some Numbers

Some NumbersWith 14 million Twitter users and 40 % Twitter penetration among internet users (~36 million) .The number of Facebook members in Turkey is 35million. Turkey has the biggest proportion of young internet users (aged 15-24) in Europe, whilst Germany has the largest share of older users (aged 55+).Turkey is the 13th largest global online population and 6th largest in Europe. 60 percent of the Turkish online population goes online every day.

Before Gezi Park ProtestsThe research conducted by KONDA between May 4-5 May in 34 citiesA face to face survey 2585 participants as sample

Internet is harmful rather than useful

State should guarantee freedom of expressionAbsolutely wrong: 2,2 %Wrong: 8,5 %Neutral: 19,6 %Right: 52,7 %Absolutely right: 16,9 %

State should block access to certain sites if necessaryAbsolutely wrong: 6,6 % Wrong: 15 %Neutral: 12,6 %Right: 52,9 %Absolutely right: 12,9 %

State should block access to certain sites on the Internet

I can find news on Twitter that Newspapers and Television Channels Ignore

Participation in Political Discussions Online

Gezi Park Research

June 6-7 2013

Interview with 4411 people in the Park

Total 30 interview hours

Research

GEZ PARKI 6-7 HAZRAN 2013

Gezi Park Aratrmaslk haberi nereden aldlar?26: Sosyal medyadan duyanlarn ya ortalamas 40: Televizyondan duyanlarn ya ortalamas NEDEN PARKTALAR?

GEZ PARKI 6-7 HAZRAN 2013

Gezi Park ResearchHow did they use social media?The earlier they come, the more social use. Why are they in Park?

GEZ PARKI 6-7 HAZRAN 2013

Gezi Park ResearchAge / GenderDemographics28: Average Age

GEZ PARKI 6-7 HAZRAN 2013

Final ThoughtsDuring Gezi Park, young people took on valued roles, addressing issues that were relevant to them, and influencing real outcomes.After Gezi and the recent corruption cases, young people have doubts about their engagements influencing real outcomes.The use of social media should be one engagement tool to complement others such as face to face.

The challengesAs the local election approaches, it is important to realize how young people, especially youth from different ideological backgrounds, are using new media to amplify their voices in the political realm.Especially Twitter became a new outlet for young people in terms of participatory politics spreading information, mobilizing for action and raising their voices during Gezi.However, with the governments attempts to muzzle the opposition on the Internet, what will be the next steps to create a new public sphere?