Deciphering the mindset behind the anti-Turkey bias in European reporting.

• Author: Jurgens, Klaus
• Position: COMMENTARY - Essay

ABSTRACT Deliberately Misunderstanding Turkey 101--a new hot pick in European journalism studies? Has fair and objective mainstream reporting about Turkey become extinct? After the Gezi Park protests 2013--which the author labels 'the failed park coup'--via a real military coup attempt in 2016 and the "Yes" vote in the April 2017 constitutional referendum, Turkish news reported in Europe is ever more biased. The article presents examples of recent and deliberate misrepresentation of facts about Turkey and aims to understand underlying negative currents in Europe's political classes.

Generalizations: Just this Once, as Misrepresenting Facts about Turkey Seem Fashionable

Generalizations should not normally find their way into serious academic publications; yet in analyzing European media reports on modern Turkey, one has no choice. Sadly one concludes that besides some noteworthy exceptions, in principle mostly negative, often insulting or derogatory remarks are printed or shown on primetime television; at best cheap anti-Turkey propaganda, at worst outright insults and lies. Hence, arriving at that one-off generalization is made easy. It requires reading and listening but as suitable quotes and headlines can be found basically every week, sometimes every day, sourcing material is no obstacle at all. Evaluating European mainstream media in a number of countries over any given period of time is sufficient.

Yet arguing the case that all our European colleagues have become anti-Turkey out of their own free will is wrong; of course they have not! Some--for one reason or another--are members of the verbally assaulting Turkey group by default but it is in principle their editors and publishers who have picked Turkey as their preferred demonizing subject and unless one wants to lose their job what can you do?

There is a clear link between Europe's political classes and negativity expressed towards Turkey, too. European media constantly claims that it is totally free and independent. However, it would not have turned so anti-Turkey if their national leaders and European administrators in Brussels had not shown that ill-fated way first. If, for example, a European Parliament rapporteur on Turkey announces day in, day out that the nation's EU accession talks should come to a halt, what other news than just that headline can even a moderate, non-biased journalist deliver to his editor? Before he or she would say 'Why Mrs. Kati Piri is wrong about Turkey,' that journalist would in current editorial climates probably risk losing his or her job!

While writing this commentary, a tough choice had to be made: re-state headlines and a few paragraphs of a number of articles only, or quote with full name and publication? The quoting of other journalist's works is absolutely normal and is not meant to be derogatory from my side and is required to stay factual--otherwise this commentary would not make sense as what is said could not be verified. Critical comments, per return, are more than welcome!

The Decline of an Independent European Media

European media is not as free and independent anymore as it once was; government and big investor interests are most certainly reflected in today's negativity vis-a-vis modern Turkey. This paints an even darker picture as to the state of media freedom in Europe. A media, and many of their host country's governments, which almost every day criticize Turkey for what they call a lack of freedom of expression whilst discreetly overlooking the fact that it is actually European media which is no longer 'free.' In fact, this author's very own experience, on more than one occasion, of publishers declining to publish because objective 'pro Turkey' commentary is not en vogue.

Nevertheless one further underlying motivation for this piece is not to burn even more bridges within my profession. Correct, the article wishes to highlight what must be labeled as a deplorable development, yet at the same time aims at those of us who already analyze Turkey through a much more fair and open lens albeit having great difficulty obtaining editorial approval to be further encouraged. In addition, the author hopes to inspire a new generation of aspiring European journalism and communications students to enter a profession which under normal circumstances is one of the most challenging, interesting and intellectually rewarding careers one can imagine!

Due to space restrictions the number of countries selected for making my point was strictly limited and a few particularly biased comments and publications chosen. For clarity's sake, individual social media accounts and radio broadcasts were not included.

Fair and Objective Journalism: A Myth?

"Could you please submit your text about the European Investment Bank supporting Turkish small and medium sized enterprises by 1400 hours? A photo would be nice, too!" A standard request from an editor!

A normal headline would be something along the lines of 'EIB supports Turkish SME with new loan facility; which sectors are promising, which need innovation first?' Asking critical questions, not shying away from asking twice if necessary, then analyzing whatever other details were provided; and then asking (silent) questions in ones' mind once again before using ones keyboard in the hotel lobby as time is of the essence.

Personally speaking, a good journalist does not wake up in the morning and says whose reputation or what country do we verbally destroy today? Others would. You might ask: to whom is this provocatively referring to? To many of our otherwise esteemed colleagues from the same profession who happen to have Turkey as their brief either as a local correspondent or back in their native countries.

At the time of that above mentioned particular past real-life event, there were just over 170 fully accredited foreign journalists and media representatives based in Turkey. If one of those colleagues who by chance would have dared to attend--in my years' in Turkey few ever did as the topic was supposedly 'too Turkey positive'--they probably would have wired back home 'Turkish industry collapsed, needs European emergency funding.' If even more political satire were permitted, 'EIB promotes Turkish dictatorship; we taxpayers pay the bill, why?' End of satire, let me return to more verifiable comments.

So what actually is journalism? Journalism, in the public eye offers images of hectic newsrooms, reporters being dispatched to cover events only to rush back some hours later in order to write it all up in time for the editing deadline. Yet, job descriptions are often blurred; a journalist no longer necessarily works for a print publication. He or she might just as well be employed by a television or radio station, either in the story writing department or as on-screen presenter having drafted her or his very own commentary. A fascinating profession, believe me.

But regardless of whether we are sent to the opening of a local neighborhood charity gala, fly to the capital to interview a member of parliament about new tax laws or spend two days glued to our computer writing a full page feature about the state of affairs of immigrant children entering the national education system and the obstacles they face, a journalist first and foremost must report the facts.

A few exceptions from that rule exist of course. A publisher may invite guest commentary not always representing the standard editorial line and...