The relationship between new social movements and alternative media- a sample of rhizome media: Sendika.org

In the 90s with the development of new communication technologies, new social movements gained momentum. These movements react to the problems such as environment, labor, identity which have arisen as a result of globalization in both national and international levels. However, the relation between media-power-capital, which was strengthened by the process of globalization, became an obstacle for the movement to make their voice heard. Accordingly, because of this obstacle, the social movements have created their own media. This study, focusing on the media owned by new social movements, investigates the relationship between alternative media and the new social movements. In this context, 'Çapulcu TV' is taken as an example of alternative media in Turkey. Sendika.org which led this dissenting media channel to broadcast during the Gezi events was taken as a sample. In this study, Sendika.org is analyzed according to the approach of rhizomatic media from the correlation and diversity theories. In the scope of the sample of the study, the news articles on the websites and regarding the Soma Event were qualitatively analyzed. Data were accumulated through in-depth interviews with the workers of Sendika.org. According to the data gathered, it was concluded that there was a positive relationship between the new social movements and alternative media, and that Sendika.org was predicted to be a rhizomatic media. Keywords: Alternative media, new social movements, rhizome media, Sendika.org