The Labour relations and problems of journalists in Turkey

ABSTRACT Journalism which has emerged to be a supplemantary activity in printing companies has become a professional job together with the rise of independent companies of press and increasing advertisement incomes. In Turkey, the first legal regulations for journalists have begun to rule in the times of Ottoman Empire. However, direct legal regulation about journalists was required in 1950s in which journalism had begun accepted as a professional job. As regard to economic, political and social conditions, "Labour Law of Press" became in force especially in 1953 with the aim of protecting journalists. With the Labour Law of Press and Laws No:274 and 275 based on 1961 Constitution, journalists have obtained many advanced rights. Depending on legal status of press companies journalists are subject to many different legal regulations. This has constantly caused the problems of journalists to be kept on agenda. Furthermore, due to economic, politicial and social developments like globalization and monopolization, journalists have started to lose rights which was obtained through struggles from 1950s until 1980s. The rights of journalists which were lost have seen mostly in such areas like wage, employment and unionism about labour relations. In this study, the rights and the problems of journalists were analysed with a historical background. In addition, it has been explained the problems and the effects which were arisen in the labour relations of journalists after 1980s, in view of economic, political and social developments and there are further suggestions regarding the solutions in this field.