The media in Greece and Turkey have played a crucial role in the political communication in their countries. Along with their main functions of monitoring the policies of the government on behalf of the public and providing news, the media in these two countries also served as key actors producing meanings through interpretative journalism. This study analyzes how Greek and Turkish newspapers’ columnists interpreted and framed military takeovers in their countries after the takeovers had happened. Refuting arguments in the literature asserting that Greek columnists kept their silence during the military regime due to censorship, while there was strong and open support in Turkey among newspaper columnists for the 12 September coup and the subsequent rule, this study argues that the situations in both countries were much more complex than these studies have claimed. It shows that important similarities existed between Greek and Turkish officers’ approach to the media in their countries during their respective periods of rule. In addition, Greek and Turkish columnists shared both similarities and differences in their framings and interpretations of the military’s takeover in their countries and the subsequent interregna.

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

• 1.1. The Purpose of the Study
• 1.2. Case Selection and Methodology.
• 1.3. Organization of the Book.

2. THE MILITARY AND POLITICS IN GREECE AND TURKEY.

• 2.1. The Military and Politics in Greece.
• 2.2. The Military and Politics in Turkey.

3. NEWSPAPERS, POLITICAL COMMUNICATION, AND THE GREEK AND TURKISH CASES.

• 3.1. Media and Opinion Formation.
• 3.2. Different Media Systems
• 3.3. Greek Newspapers and Political Communication.
• 3.4. Turkish Newspapers and Political Communication.

4. THE 21 APRIL 1967 TAKEOVER IN GREECE AND GREEK COLUMNISTS.

• 4.1. Historical Background of the 1967 Takeover
• 4.2. The 21 April Administration’s Control over the Press
• 4.3. Representation of the 21 April Takeover in Newspaper Columns
• 4.3.1. Reasons for and Objectives of the Takeover and Expectations for the Military Administration.
• 4.3.2. Columnists’ Representation of the Characteristics of the 21 April Administration.
• 4.3.3. Democracy, Politicians, and the Transition Period in the Newspaper Columns

5. THE 12 SEPTEMBER 1980 TAKEOVER IN TURKEY AND TURKISH COLUMNISTS.

• 5.1. Historical Background of the 12 September Coup.
• 5.2. The 12 September Administration’s Control over the Press
• 5.3. The 12 September Takeover in Newspaper Columns
• 5.3.1. Reasons and Objectives of the Takeover and Expectations for the Military Administration.
• 5.3.2. Columnists’ Representation of the Characteristics of the 12 September Administration.
• 5.3.3. Democracy, Politicians and the Transition Period in Newspaper Columns

6. CONCLUSION.
7. SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY.