Description
The main purpose of this study is to show how Islamism has established a hegemony in the Turkish media sector and television series during the AKP rule through case studies. Erdoğan and the AKP placed the image of a traditional Turkish woman and a conservative family structure against the image of a Western and modern Turkish women from the Kemalist regime. After Erdoğan’s speeches, which criticized the Kemalist regime’s women and family policies, the AKP accelerated its policy, especially through the image of women and families.
The biggest reflection of this role assigned to women by the AKP government can be seen in Turkish television series. In this context, Islamist families or Islamist figures are always portrayed more positively in television series and the Islamist lifestyle is encouraged. On the other hand, secular characters are caricaturized as negatively as possible and the disadvantages of secular life are emphasized. In order to explain this phenomenon, two recently popular TV series in Turkey, 'Kızılcık Şerbeti' (Cranberry Sherbet) and 'Kızıl Goncalar' (Red Rosebuds), will be analysed in detail in terms of women and family life portrait in these series. In this context, the analysis will try to prove how Islamism and anti-secularism have turned into a tool of hegemony.
