Political economy of local magazine press in Eski̇şehi̇r: Examples of Follow and Motto

The reflections of the concept of magazine which has become widespread in the Turkish press in the local press, and their examination in correlation with the economic, political and cultural changes since the 1980s constitutes the problematic of this study. In addition, the problematic of this study involves the examination of the production and text dimension of the local magazine press in Eskişehir. This study is formed within the frame of critical political economy approach by analyzing the production conditions and the content of the magazines published in Eskişehir; and it aims to question the functioning and understanding of journalism at the local level. In this study, basics of political economy science and critical political economy approach to media was evaluated. Then, the political economy transformation in media and dynamics, which prioritizes the magazine, are discussed in the axis of neo-liberal policies that are applied after the 1980s, consumer culture and lifestyles. The research questions that were identified within the frame of the main purpose of the study was searched answers. In this regard, Follow and Motto magazines, published in Eskişehir, were analyzed by qualitative analysis method. In this context, sector analysis and text analysis have been used for the production process and contents of magazines. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with the editorial staff of both magazines through sector analysis. The findings obtained from the interviews explicated within the frame of five headings, which were identified in accordance with the production phase of magazines. In addition to this, representation of the actors and the subject that determine the magazine contents were examined by text analysis technique. The findings obtained through the text analysis technique have been interpreted under five headings and the findings have been supported with data that were obtained via the sector. As a result, it was concluded that Follow and Motto magazines are in monopolistic media structuring and their contents are produced with advertising and profit concerns. In this way, the monotyped contents of the magazines practice an ideological production which supports the continuity of consumer culture and encourage consumption patterns and lifestyles of people which are from upper and upper-middle class in Eskişehir. Keywords: Critical political economy, neo-liberal policies, consumer culture,lifestyles, magazine, local magazine press.