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Abstract

This study examines Turkish online news media coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. It explores media framing narratives, particularly how they reflected and promoted elite polarization or consensus in the COVID-19 debate. The findings shed light on Turkish political power dynamics during the first stage in the national response to the pandemic. The study highlights the calculations of political partisans who are keen on building a fragile consensus in an increasingly polarized society.

Keywords

COVID-19 pandemic Turkey newspapers political parties polarization framing public health national security

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“Flattening the curve”: Communication,risk and COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey

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