Technological advancements in communication have enhanced our ability to learn by making information more accessible and our lives more flexible. However, these developments also come with significant downsides, such as the potential to distort perceptions, spread misinformation, and obscure reality. Political communication has had to evolve to keep up with these changes, with political entities identifying and exploiting societal weaknesses to shape perceptions and present “acceptable” truths to voters. This highlights the influence of political communication on public opinion.
SHIFTING STRATEGIES IN POLITICAL COMMUNICATION
As per Transport Minister Uraloğlu, in 2024, Turkey will rank 19th globally in daily internet usage, averaging 7 hours and 6 minutes. Internet usage in Turkey stands at 83.4%, with 73.1% active on social media. Platforms like Instagram (21 hours 24 minutes/month) and TikTok (20 hours 54 minutes/month) dominate.
According to the We Are Social 2023 Turkey report, the primary reasons for internet use are seeking information (73.2%), staying informed (67.6%), and learning how to do things (63.9%). This data underscores the significant impact of internet and social media on daily life in Turkey, showing how deeply these platforms influence people’s information-gathering habits and social behavior. With such widespread internet and social media usage, political communication strategies have had to adapt, with social media now providing an instant and direct line to the public. This gives political actors the power to manipulate emotions and subconscious biases, using these platforms as tools of influence.
DISRUPTING DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES
In Turkey, political parties often utilize viral social media events to undermine the government, analyzing these occurrences through an ideological lens to sway public perception. Scholars have critically examined the role of technology in manipulating voters through media. While some view the rise of social media as a democratic advance, it also introduces risks, such as the spread of disinformation and censorship. The rise of cyberbullying, cancel culture, and the misrepresentation of events online marks a shift in how social media is weaponized for manipulation.
EVERY EVENT THROUGH AN IDEOLOGICAL LENS
Political actors now interpret not only political occurrences but also everyday social media happenings ideologically. In societies like Turkey, where historical and cultural dynamics play a significant role, daily events often take on ideological significance. Social media, once a space for entertainment and information, has evolved into a platform for identity-building, social interaction, and political engagement. Political authorities exploit these platforms strategically, framing events in ways that consolidate or challenge power. This process of ideological manipulation leads to a rise in polarization and fuels a culture of public shaming and hate speech.
SHARPENING POLARIZATION
Turkish society relies heavily on social media to access information and stay informed. The rise of social media has fostered direct communication between political parties and the public, bypassing traditional intermediaries. While this empowers individuals to voice social demands, these demands are often ideologically manipulated by political entities, increasing polarization.
PERCEPTION MANAGEMENT AND “SOCIAL MEDIA COURTS”
Social media platforms have become forums for individuals to seek justice, interpret events through their ideological perspectives, and deepen societal divides. As legal decisions are reinterpreted in these “social media courts,” a perception emerges that justice is ideologically driven. This perception undermines public trust in institutions, allowing opposition parties to accuse the ruling powers of disrupting national unity and integrity.
Social media plays a pivotal role in shaping public reactions and amplifying calls for justice. However, these demands can be manipulated for political gain, as seen in the rise of “street interviews” and their transformation into tools of polarization. This manipulation has eroded societal trust in justice and institutions, contributing to deeper divisions and mistrust.
MANIPULATION OF THE CONCEPT OF JUSTICE
In recent years, the perception that justice is being manipulated has become a key political strategy in Turkey. Opposition parties claim that the government controls justice and uses this narrative to weaken public trust. Judicial incidents, even minor ones, are amplified on social media and used to challenge the government, forming a core strategy for political opposition.
The mediatization of legal events and parallel trials on social media turn individual cases into political and societal issues, exacerbating polarization. Political actors use public outrage over perceived injustices as a tool, damaging not only the concept of justice but also societal cohesion, institutional trust, and faith in shared values. This manipulation deepens societal divisions, eroding hope for the future and belief in collective values.
