The Shadow of Türkiye: How the Regime Challenges European Democracy – An Analysis of Influence and Resistance

The media's consolidation under President Erdoğan is not merely a domestic tragedy; it casts a long shadow deep into Europe. What unfolds on the Bosporus as an erosion of press freedom manifests itself in European capitals as a subtle yet dangerous form of influence that threatens the democratic foundations of our societies.

Extending the arm: Erdogan's influence in the diaspora

For Birol Kilic, publisher of Turkish media in Austria, the matter is clear: The Turkish government is using its "extended arms" in countries like Austria to actively interfere in day-to-day politics. Kilic sharply criticizes the fact that Austrian parties—whether the SPÖ or the ÖVP—cooperate with these pro-government actors, thereby making them socially acceptable. These practices undermine the hard-won, free and democratic order of Europe. Journalists in Austria who report critically on Turkey now have to be very careful, as over 20 journalists have been imprisoned in Turkey because of their work, and increasing self-censorship is also being observed abroad.

The struggle for information supremacy in the diaspora

But the battle for interpretive dominance is not lost. Independent Turkish media in the diaspora, such as Kilic's publishing house in Austria, offer an important counter-voice. They report critically not only on Austrian politics and economics, but also on Turkey and its influence. Kilic's publishing house reaches "millions of people" via Facebook. This clearly demonstrates that people of Turkish origin in Europe rely on locally produced, Turkish-language media for information about their immediate lives, as topics such as citizenship, pensions, and the housing market are not adequately covered by Turkish media from Istanbul.

Value conflict and the lost secularism

A central conflict, also reflected in the media landscape, is the break with secularism. Kilic, himself a devout Muslim, describes secularism as "the lifeblood of democracy." The Erdoğan government, on the other hand, instrumentalizes religion to incite people against one another and exert political control. Government-affiliated media promote this religiously driven agenda, while independent reporting is systematically suppressed.

The Kurdish question: A thorn in the heart of democracy

The unresolved "Kurdish question" remains the biggest obstacle to a stable democracy in Turkey. Journalist and author Duygu Özkan makes it clear: as long as democratically elected parties like the HDP are marginalized, their representatives imprisoned, and their concerns ignored in the media, Turkey cannot find peace. According to Özkan, state-controlled media outlets like TRT Kurdî are merely "Kurdish-language Turkish news outlets" and do not reflect the reality of the Kurdish population. The independent Kurdish media landscape has been effectively eradicated. Özkan emphasizes that true democracy is not defined solely by majority decisions, but by the freedom of every minority to express their opinions without fear – an ideal that is currently being undermined in Turkey.

A call for European consistency

The European Union, which promotes independent news outlets in regions like the Western Balkans through organizations such as Deutsche Welle, must take a clearer stance on the issue of Turkey. Adelheid Feilcke of Deutsche Welle emphasizes how essential credible and independent information is in regions where disinformation is on the rise and media are increasingly controlled by oligarchs or political groups. Deutsche Welle demonstrates, through its collaborations with local journalists, how independent reporting can function without paternalistic approaches.

The comparison with Hungary underscores the seriousness of the situation. Media sociologist Matthias Pfeffer points to a "reversal" in many formerly communist countries, where the media are once again being instrumentalized as tools of the government. Birol Kilic, however, emphasizes that Hungary's situation is comparatively a "show" compared to the "harsh reality" in Turkey.

Despite increasing censorship, the digital landscape and social media have become crucial hubs for alternative information. Europe faces the challenge of not only clearly recognizing the dangers of targeted disinformation and political manipulation, but also proactively promoting its own values-based platforms to ensure free access to independent information.

It is high time that Europe not only defends its fundamental democratic values ​​verbally, but also acts decisively as authoritarian developments on its borders and within its societies become increasingly threatening. The current situation in Turkey is an urgent wake-up call that must finally be heard in Brussels and all European capitals.