Boundaries That Divide (Paperback)

Defne OEver

ISBN 10: 1978844174 / ISBN 13: 9781978844179

Published by Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick NJ, 2026

About this Item

Paperback. Turkey presents a striking example of the most recent wave of global authoritarian turns. The two-decade-long transition in the country's political system also transformed its media environment. As mainstream journalists gradually yielded their places to sycophants, much more willing to praise the government in their news, the mainstream media that once oversawhowever imperfectlypolitical decisions started devoting its full service to cheerleading the government. Simultaneously, a new sphere of critical journalism began to emerge, with mainstream media journalists joining their fellows in the peripheries of the media. Considering the transformation of Turkey's news media as the decay of a democratic institution, this book asks, How does the media break down under the rule of an elected government? Drawing on fieldwork and in-depth interviews, the book traces the ruling AKP's manipulation of social divides to consolidate power and journalists' navigation of the resulting climate of fear, hope, doubt, and anger. The book shows how Turkey's news media surrendered its power over politics as some journalists embraced disinformation as a path to heightened status, others turned to self-censorship for protection, and still others resisted capture through continuous but fragmented efforts. The book portrays journalists as central actors in media decay, while also revealing that resilience to decay emerges where rising demand for "news" meets the contentious mobilization of journalists. Although focused on Turkey, the book's insights extend far beyond, offering urgent lessons about the future of journalism in an age of populism, polarization, and institutional erosion. Boundaries That Divide investigates how Turkey's news media became complicit in the country's democratic decline. Based on two years of fieldwork, it shows how politically imposed divisions turned journalists against one another, fueled disinformation campaigns, encouraged self-censorship, and ultimately eroded the press's already fragile watchdog role. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781978844179

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Boundaries That Divide (Paperback)
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick NJ
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1978844174
• ISBN 13: 9781978844179
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Turkey presents a striking example of the most recent wave of global authoritarian turns. The two-decade-long transition in the country’s political system also transformed its media environment. As mainstream journalists gradually yielded their places to sycophants, much more willing to praise the government in their news, the mainstream media that once oversaw―however imperfectly―political decisions started devoting its full service to cheerleading the government. Simultaneously, a new sphere of critical journalism began to emerge, with mainstream media journalists joining their fellows in the peripheries of the media. Considering the transformation of Turkey’s news media as the decay of a democratic institution, this book asks, How does the media break down under the rule of an elected government?
 
Drawing on fieldwork and in-depth interviews, the book traces the ruling AKP’s manipulation of social divides to consolidate power and journalists’ navigation of the resulting climate of fear, hope, doubt, and anger. The book shows how Turkey’s news media surrendered its power over politics as some journalists embraced disinformation as a path to heightened status, others turned to self-censorship for protection, and still others resisted capture through continuous but fragmented efforts.
 
The book portrays journalists as central actors in media decay, while also revealing that resilience to decay emerges where rising demand for “news” meets the contentious mobilization of journalists. Although focused on Turkey, the book’s insights extend far beyond, offering urgent lessons about the future of journalism in an age of populism, polarization, and institutional erosion.

About the Author

DEFNE ÖVER is an assistant professor of sociology at Texas A&M University in College Station.