The alternative searchings in the field of television broadcasting in Turkey: Hayat and IMC channels

Alternative media practices have been discussed worldwide since 1960's while different freedom movements were rising during this period. Alternative media was taken seriously especially during Gezi Uprising that started in June 2013. Focus of the discussion was especially growing Internet and social media. But this point of view is not enough and limiting the concept of alternative media. Other media such as radio, television, newspapers etc. which are considered as conventional media nowadays, can be also platforms for alternative broadcasting and journalism. In countries such as Turkey which democracy is considered not it should be, knowledge is usually taken from visual media, not from the written one. Because of conventional media is still the dominant media in Turkey, it has still the duty to develop a more participatory democracy. In this context Hayat and IMC (International Media Center) TV channels which differentiate themselves from mainstream channels and attracted attention with their broadcasting during Gezi Park protests are the research subject of this thesis. The main purpose of this thesis is to understand if there is still a possibility for conventional media in legal and politically constrained communication environment, other than new internet media platforms, to broadcast alternatively.