Turkish Press Within Framework of the Spiral of Silence Theory: News on Denaturalization of Cem Karaca and His Return

Abstract

It is known that Cem Karaca one of the most important representatives of Anadolu Rock music stands out with his leftist political stance as well as with his music. The trial process was initiated against him alleging that he made communist propaganda. He was recalled after the 1980 coup when he was abroad and he was denaturalized in 1983 because of his rejection. After the coup he could return to Turkey in 1987 due to the political atmosphere of ANAL. This study aims to analyze the effect of the Spiral of Silence Theory on the Turkish press through the news about Karaca's denaturalization and return to Turkey. In this context the news in Cumhuriyet newspaper was analyzed with the critical discourse analysis method. The findings show that although different attitudes are reflected in the news of Cumhuriyet regarding the denaturalization of Karaca as well as his return to Turkey both are limited to official discourse. The fact that even the news in a newspaper claiming to be oppositional is compatible with the dominant opinion both during the coup administration and during the ANAP period clearly reveals the existence of the Spiral of Silence Theory.