The relationship between job satisfaction and non-unionization in the local press: A study on antalya local press

Local press serves as a local oversight mechanism and plays a crucial role in preserving local values. With its various functions, the press serves as a primary source of information for individuals in local communities. However, despite these significant roles, the working conditions and unionization efforts of journalists working in the local press are often overlooked. In this context, this study aimed to examine the working conditions of opinion workers employed in printed media outlets in Antalya and to determine union participation rates. The research was conducted through in-depth interviews and semi-structured field research with 40 journalists working in 11 local newspapers in the districts of Konyaaltı, Muratpaşa, and Kepez in Antalya. The study comprehensively addressed journalists' perspectives on union concepts and ideological stances of unions, union participation levels, possession of employment rights, job satisfaction, and working conditions. The findings of the study identified the approaches of the target group of 40 opinion workers towards the concept of unions, their confidence in the adequacy of this concept, and the paths that existing unions need to follow to satisfy opinion workers. The data obtained documented the challenges journalists face in unionization processes and specifically highlighted their insufficient utilization of employment rights under the Press Labor Law. This research aims to fill knowledge gaps in this field by identifying the unionization experiences and expectations of journalists working in local press and highlighting employers' failure to provide employment rights under the Press Labor Law and the resulting oversight deficiencies. Keywords: Local Press, Union, Job Satisfaction, Employment Rights, Journalist