The role of the media as an instrument of public diplomacy in Turkey's European Union membership process: The case of TRT World

Throughout history, states have engaged in diplomatic activities by communicating with other states in the international arena. Diplomatic activities have been a transformation over time, and diplomacy activities from states to states have turned from states to public and from public to public. This transformation, with the development of new communication technologies and globalization, has enabled societies to get closer to each other and to be aware of each other very quickly. The fact that the developments in the global arena cannot be done behind closed doors as in the past, has made the developments not only of interest to politicians but also to the public. These developments were seen as an opportunity for states to realize their interests in the international arena, to promote the country, and to express their arguments on global issues. Therefore, this understanding of communication from states to public and from public to public was regarded as public diplomacy and was seen as the art of influencing the people of other countries. As in the other countries, public diplomacy activities are carried out in Turkey as well, and one of the fields of activity of public diplomacy is the European Union. It is important that the problems experienced are better conveyed and solved in favor of Turkey and a public diplomacy strategy that will enable Turkey to become a member of the EU. Media is the primary tools of the public diplomacy that Turkey carries out in many fields for membership. This study aims to analyze the news content produced by TRT World, which is seen as Turkey's voice in the global arena, and its role in the EU membership process. The study discusses the public diplomacy process carried out with the news frame produced by TRT World on the basis of the problems between Turkey and the EU. In the news analyzed with framing analysis, it is observed that TRT World undertakes an important mission by conveying Turkey's point of view to the international public opinion regarding the problems Turkey has with the EU. It is determined that TRT World, while conveying Turkey's point of view, adopts an understanding that expresses the discourses of the government in Turkey rather than a democratic, pluralistic and civil understanding.