Abstract
This article sheds a light on the recent legal, political and social developments in Turkey, which led to intense debates in the society on the freedom of expression and the protection of minorities. Author chooses these issues, since they represent cracks in the establishment of the Turkish identity by traditional state elite. Turkey's candidacy process to the European Union highlighted those cracks and caused the emergence of an identity crisis. Those issues have been among the main issues in the negotiation process with the European Union for membership. Author analyses these recent developments by looking at their reflections in the liberal and progressive Turkish media. Finally, she concludes that the success of the Turkish compliance with the human rights criteria of the European Union will depend on the resolution of those issues through democratic means, necessary legislative changes and reconciliation within the society.