A Case Study of the “Dağlıca Event” From Chaos to Election Victory : Media and Politics of Fear in the Political Communication of Terrorism in Turkey

Abstract: This thesis aims to examine the complex relationship between the realm of politics and media during a ‘terrorist event’ in Turkey by focusing on the politics of fear and the power relations between two. The research uses Critical Discourse Analysis as a primary method to analyse political communication and media coverage of a ‘terrorist attack’ in Turkey. In 6th of September 2015, a military convoy was attacked in Dağlıca, Turkey only two months before the snap elections. The event was one of the most important turning points before the election. Following the elections, Turkey had a strong turn towards authoritarianism and populism resulting in the erosion of media freedom and democracy. This research identifies the Dağlıca event to analyse Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s (President of Turkey) interview and three news channels’ media coverage of the event in order to examine the political communication’s discursive mechanisms. By doing so, the research focuses on the appearances of relations between discursive and social practices. Finally, the thesis aims to contribute to broaden the knowledge of media critique for minimising media attributions to the political gains during such tragic events.