A representative of the Ottoman press humor: Latife newspaper (1874-1875)

The press has always been an important field of study for historical research because it records many important events in life. In order to obtain any information about a society, examining the media organs of the period constitutes a very important source for historical research. The humor press has also a special importance for history research. Because the most important feature of the humor press is that they include visuality and satire. The effect of visual elements and satire is very high on people. Therefore, the effect of humor press and reactions to this effect has been much more. The Latife Newspaper was published by Zakarya Beykozluyan. In this study, from the first issue of the newspaper dated August 12, 1874 (28 Cemâziyel-âhir 1291) to the twentieth issues dated October 30, 1874 (19 Ramazan 1291) and from the first issue dated April 3, 1875 (26 Safer 1292) to twentieth issue dated May 18, 1875 (12 Rebîül-âhir 1292) were examined. Latife Newspaper revealed the events of the 1870s with humorous language. The general issues mentioned in the newspaper are İstanbul news, municipal services transportation in the Ottoman Empire, problems in trams, steamboats and omnibus conflicts with other newspapers of the period, Güllü Agop who the director of Gedikpaşa Theater, developments in Ottoman Theater and fashion in the Ottoman Empire. A satirical language was usually used about these issues and mostly satirical and criticized articles and news have been published in the newspaper. Keywords: Newspaper, Istanbul, Latife Newspaper, Theater, Transportation