Theses supervised by Doç. Dr. Özlem Akkaya
11 theses · Yeditepe University
LGBTQ üyelerinin televizyonda temsili
Increasing mainstream acceptance of LGBTQ identities in the western world gave way to increasing representations on television. This study adopts the idea that television allows society to communicate with its collective self. It recognizes that television can reinforce the symbolic existence of the groups it represents while providing opportunities for audiences to interact with them. Through this symbolic interaction, it can influence people's attitudes towards them. Because of that, the representations of marginalized identities carry the burden of being representative of the communities they represent. From this perspective, it is important to understand whether representations on television are stereotypical or progressive. Thus, adopting an intersectional approach, this thesis presents a semiotic analysis of the television series Pose (2018 – 2021) by applying John Fiske's (2001) "codes of television" method to the 9th episode of the second season. Taking into account the stereotypical representations of black women, transgender women and women as a general category, the textual analysis part of the thesis aims to uncover the ideological meanings within the representations of black transsexual women on Pose. However, taking a cultural studies approach, this thesis also acknowledges the polysemic nature of media texts and recognizes that mere textual analyses cannot predict the audiences' reception of them. In addition, from an intersectional perspective, it acknowledges that different dimensions of audiences' identities can have an impact on their readings and the meanings they produce. So, this thesis also investigates the meanings participants from different sexualities and ethnic groups make form these representations, by making use of survey, participant observation and in-depth interview methods. The results show that both the representations in the episode and the audiences' receptions of them contain contradictory meanings.
Analysis of social media posts of political actors
Political communication campaigns have always been very important for political actors for reaching the public. With the development of technology, the internet and social media channels, which were added to the mass media such as radio, newspapers, and television, have become new communication tools for political actors. Ekrem İmamoğlu, who won the elections on March 31, 2019, won them again by increasing the vote difference witn his opponent, Binali Yıldırım, on June 23, 2019, in the re-elections, when his mandate was canceled due to the supposed irregularities in the previous run. In this thesis, the five most liked posts on Ekrem İmamoğlu's Instagram profile between May 6, 2019, the date of the cancellation of the mandate, and June 23, 2019, when the second elections were held, were analyzed using semiotic analysis and in-depth interview methods. Since Ekrem İmamoğlu is the CHP's candidate and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality elections have an important place in Turkish politics, the political history of Turkey from 1923 to the present is outlined in the thesis, and main policies and the historical development of CHP are discussed. Main political ideologies are explained, and the use of media, particularly social media and Instagram, by political actors is discussed with examples from Turkey and abroad. As a result of the analysis made in this research, it was seen that Ekrem İmamoğlu used an integrative, loving, and hopeful language in his Instagram posts. In addition, it is seen that they involve contradictions as they transmit progressive meanings while also reproducing certain conventional social norms.
Netflix consumption during the covid-19 pandemic
This study gathered data and provided explanations for the use of Netflix during the pandemic process. Information has been given about the media technologies that are developing day by day and the Uses and Gratifications Theory, which is related to media technologies. Comparisons were made between traditional media and new media, and explanations of new media were included. The main subjects of the study, Netflix's historical development, institutional structure, original contents, and Netflix's activities in Turkey were introduced. It has been mentioned that people's social lives are interrupted during the pandemic process and that they are trying to meet these sociability needs through media technologies. Examples of social media applications that people use during this pandemic are presented. The events experienced in the world and in our country during the pandemic process are given in chronological order. Decisions and measures taken to reduce the impact of the virus on the world and in our country are mentioned. In this study, an interview form, which is one of the qualitative study methods, was used. A total of six Netflix users, three women and three men, participated in the research. As a result of the study, all participants stated that their Netflix usage times have decreased in recent days compared to the start of the pandemic.
Factchecking in the postmodern era
Today, developments in information and communication technologies have made it easier to communicate and access information than any technology has done in the past. Today, through smart mobile phones and tablet or laptop computers that provide internet access, human beings can access the content they want at any time and communicate instantly with people on the other side of the world. This situation has enabled the public, which previously existed as a passive audience in the face of the media, to take part as an "active" audience. At this point, it has opened the door to many new debates about the media's role, power, and discourse. Considering that this new social structure brings about many negative situations, such as the violation of the surveillance, privacy, and freedoms of individuals, it can be said that new technologies make it equally easier to access all kinds of information, especially confidential information about people through social media channels, as well as the conveniences they add to the field of communication and information. Therefore, the media and ethics debate, which previously only targeted the governments, has been an issue for everyone connecting to social networks today. However, the inflation experienced in both news production and news circulation has led to the concern of verifying the contents in the new media, and this concern has led to the establishment of many news and information "verification" sites. Although the concept of "verification", which entered the literature as "factchecking," was actually developed within by the political campaigning process, today, many national and international newspapers have created "news, content, information verification" channels, which they call "fact-checkers." Fact-checking sites are emerging as a new media discourse where false or fake news and claims are debunked. However, the question of which "facts" are "fact-checked," which "untrue" or "fake" news are selected and refuted, and to what extent they affect the opinion of the public remains hot. The concept of fact-checking is parallel to the emergence of the concept of post-truth. With its current meaning and use, the concept of post-truth should be considered as a political projection of the concept of fact-checking in the media. The concept of post-truth was used for the socio-political environment that brought Donald Trump, elected President of the United States in the 2016 elections, to power. It was because although the American mainstream media portrayed Trump as a "mind-blowing" profile, his election as the president pushed both the media and political scientists to seek a reality "beyond the truth." Inspired by Baudrillard's work (2011, p. 56), which goes beyond McLuhan's motto of "the medium is the message" and emphasizes that medium is a simulacrum that tries to change reality by settling into it like a chronic disease, it can be said that the concepts of fact-checking and post-truth are also our "new tellaks." 1 In this thesis, we will focus on the "fact" in the concept of fact-checking and look for an answer to the question of "which fact." Although the concept of fact-checking rises as a journalistic term, both its emergence and its claim make it necessary to address it both epistemologically, philosophically, and politically. For this reason, in this thesis, the concept of fact-checking will be examined within the framework of postmodern thought and praxis. Although undoubtedly the breadth of this framework exceeds the limits of this thesis, we aim to present a perspective in this direction in the study. Keywords: Agenda-Setting, disinformation, discourse, fact-checking, gatekeeping, post-truth, postmodernity
Collective memory and journalism in the context of femicide
This study examines the news production processes about femicide, a universal problem, in the Turkish press within the context of collective memory. The relationship between memory and the news media is explained by associating it with Alison Landsberg's (2004) concept of prosthetic memory. In addition, to better analyze how collective memory is (re)produced through news about femicide, which is the main subject of the study, feminist movements and women's ideas and activities about the issue from the past to the present in the world and Turkey are discussed. The in-depth interview method, which is one of the qualitative research methods, has been used in the study. Female journalists working in different news media outlets were included as participants in the research and were asked questions about the relationship between news production processes, femicide, and collective memory. Keywords: Collective Memory, Femicide, Journalism, News Production
Sosyal medya içinde ve dışında kentsel kolektif hafıza: İzmit tarihi tekel binası örneği
This research examines the relationship between the demolition of the Izmit Historical Tekel Building Wall, located in the center of Izmit and demolished on April 3, 2021, and its relationship with collective memory. The aim of the research is to understand how the Izmit Historical Tekel Building Wall has a place in online and offline collective memory, how the recent demolition of the wall is perceived by the residents of that neighborhood, and how it makes them feel. Within the scope of this purpose, the research will analyze how this demolition is received in the reader's comments on the news in the online local media and in the posts on social media and will make sense of how the collective memory of this historical building is reconstructed in these online channels. Two research methods, in-depth interviews and critical discourse analysis, will be used to conduct these investigations. Another important aim of the research is to measure the effects of the demolition on the local community. While analyzing these effects, questions such as how the demolition made the local residents feel in a positive or negative sense, how the building is related to their nostalgic memories, if they have any, and how this historical building has gained a cultural and historical place in the memory of the residents of the city will be asked. Keywords: collective memory, cultural memory, urban memory, memory places, reflective nostalgia, restorative nostalgia, izmit historical tekel building
The impact of Instagram on risks of developing eating disorders: Young female adults and appearance-focused accounts
The prevalence and extensive usage of Instagram as a social media platform have drawn my attention to the issue of appearance-oriented accounts on Instagram that endorse unrealistic standards of beauty. These accounts may contribute to the development of eating disorders, especially among young adult women. Various studies consistently indicate a connection between exposure to idealized depictions of female beauty in the media and negative effects on mood, self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and a desire to be thin. Recent research has specifically focused on appearance-oriented accounts on Instagram, which prominently display manipulated images of beauty showcasing unattainable body ideals and flawless appearances. Given that a significant portion of Instagram users are young adult women, who are particularly vulnerable to societal pressures, it is crucial to understand the association between appearance-oriented Instagram accounts and the risk of eating disorders. Eating disorders have severe psychological and physical consequences and disproportionately affect young adult women. The research establishes a theoretical foundation by comprehensively reviewing literature on gender and power dynamics, female body image, ideals of female beauty, the connection between media and eating disorders in women, social media, and Instagram, with a specific focus on feminist perspectives and the impact of media on women's perceptions of their bodies. The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between appearance-oriented Instagram accounts and the risk of eating disorders among young adult women. The experiment study examines the influence on body image, body satisfaction, self-esteem, mood, and drive for thinness and explores the relationship between appearance-oriented Instagram accounts and eating disorders. The main hypotheses of this study propose that extensive exposure to appearance-oriented accounts on Instagram has a negative impact on mood, self-esteem, body image, and increases the likelihood of developing eating disorders. Keywords: Appearance-focused accounts, Body dissatisfaction, Body image, Eating disorders, Instagram, Young female adults
The portrayal of sportswomen in sport media
This thesis examines the representation of female volleyball players in the Turkish press by analyzing sports news coverage in Sabah and Cumhuriyet newspapers between 2018 and 2023. During this period, Turkey's women's national volleyball team achieved unprecedented success on the international stage, which led to an increase in media attention. However, the visibility of female athletes does not always guarantee fair or multidimensional representation. This study explores how women athletes are portrayed in media narratives, particularly with regard to dominant gender norms and editorial ideologies. Using a comparative content analysis approach, the research systematically categorizes and evaluates the content types and narrative strategies employed in the coverage of women's volleyball. The methodology involves both quantitative and qualitative assessment of news items, focusing on how the representation of female athletes has evolved over time in two ideologically distinct newspapers. The findings reveal a gradual shift from score-based, performance-centric reporting toward more diverse and identity-oriented narratives—especially in Cumhuriyet—where athletes are increasingly portrayed as symbolic, social, and national figures. While this transformation reflects some progress toward gender-sensitive journalism, the study also underscores the persistence of stereotypical and homogenized portrayals, often reducing female athletes to idealized images shaped by traditional femininity. By offering a critical examination of how political orientation and media ownership influence gendered representation in sports news, this thesis contributes to broader discussions in feminist media studies, sports journalism, and gender equality in the public sphere.
Gender regime in pr agencies: The gap between the expectations and experiences of graduates of communication faculties
As the scope of the public relations profession has expanded, the need for gender equality has become more important. Considering the impact of public relations on shaping social norms, a more egalitarian gender regime in the sector can both enhance the reputation of the profession and contribute to positive changes at the social level. This study aims to examine the overlaps and differences between the experiences and expectations of recent communication faculty graduates in public relations agencies and to understand how these experiences and expectations are shaped by gender. In the study, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 recent graduates (five women and five men) working in public relations agencies in Istanbul. The research findings show that there are significant differences between gendered expectations and experiences in the public relations industry. Despite their large numbers in the sector, female respondents experience difficulties in accessing leadership positions and are subjected to forms of discrimination such as invisibilization, mansplaining, dress code pressures, and subordinate positioning in client relations. Male participants, on the other hand, think that individual competencies are effective in career advancement, but they think that male employees face heavier physical workload and a harsher management approach. Views on positive discrimination differ among the participants, with women seeing these practices as both empowering and reinforcing traditional roles, while some men say they create disadvantages for them. Moreover, while women are more likely to question the inadequacy of mechanisms to combat gender-based discrimination, men have limited knowledge of these mechanisms. This suggests that despite the feminization of the sector, women still face more obstacles than men in reaching managerial positions and that more inclusive policies are needed. Keywords: Public relations, Public relations agencies, Public relations professionals, Gender regime, Gender equality
Reproduction of the warrior woman archetype in films and TV series
This study examines the evolving portrayal of the warrior woman archetype in Turkish TV series and films after the 2000s, particularly about the rising prominence of feminism in contemporary discourse. Drawing on Carl Gustav Jung's concept of the archetype, it investigates how the traditionally male-dominated warrior figure has been re-imagined and reconstructed with female heroes in recent popular culture. Using critical discourse analysis, the study analyzes different representations of the warrior woman archetype in selected films and TV series across diverse historical periods and ideological orientations, including Destan (2021-2022), Diriliş: Ertuğrul (2014-2019), Kuruluş Osman (2019-), Uyanış: Büyük Selçuklu (2020-2021), Muhteşem Yüzyıl (2011-2014), Muhteşem Yüzyıl: Kösem (2015-2017), Elveda Rumeli (2007-2009), Vatanım Sensin (2016-2018), Hacivat ve Karagöz Neden Öldürüldü? (2006), Fetih 1453 (2012), and Malazgirt 1071 (2022). The thesis aims to show how and to what extent popular media texts that incorporate different ideological attitudes negotiate and employ feminist elements, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between media, gender, and ideology. Additionally, it explores how commercial concerns and market demands, characteristic of the consumer society, influence and shape the representations of these women warrior characters, potentially impacting their overall message and cultural significance. Keywords: Feminism; warrior women; archetype; media; gender; TV series; movies; popular culture; ideology
Representations of extended family in Turkish television series
This thesis examines the ideological and cultural influence of television dramas, focusing on how they participate in the construction and reinforcement of dominant social structures, particularly in the context of the family. Television series, as mass cultural products, function not only as sources of entertainment but also as sites where national identity, gender norms, and social hierarchies are shaped and circulated. Within Turkish television, the family has consistently been positioned as a central institution, both as a narrative focus and as a bearer of traditional values. Building on this context, the thesis explores how the family, particularly the extended and patriarchal model, is represented and negotiated in Turkish television narratives. Before moving into close analysis, it provides a historical overview of the transformation of family structures in Turkey, tracing the shifts from the early Republican period to the present day. This background allows for a deeper understanding of how television reinterprets and reframes the notion of family within evolving sociopolitical and cultural frameworks. The core of the thesis consists of a comparative analysis of two television series, Çukur (Çatay, Çukur, 2017-2021) and İstanbullu Gelin (Güvenatam, İstanbullu Gelin, 2017-2019) both of which center extended families, albeit through different aesthetic and narrative lenses. Through textual and visual analysis, the study investigates how patriarchal family models are reproduced, how intra-familial power dynamics unfold, and how gender roles are mapped onto family relations. The research highlights the contrasting approaches of each series to gender and family. Despite their narrative differences, however, both ultimately affirm the central ideological role of the family in Turkish society. Keywords: Turkish television series, extended family, patriarchy, gender roles, cultural representation