A conflict of interests

Recent events in Turkey inspire reflection on the emergence of public relations in that country

 
It is not easy to focus on the past when you are an eye-witness to modern history in the making. As I was preparing to write this article on the history of Turkish public relations, the most vibrant civil society movement in the nation’s history began in İstanbul. Although the title of this section indicates the story of public relations and corporate communication, I feel the need to comment on the role of Turkey’s media conglomerates in subverting the freedom of the press and to point out the media’s impact on the development of public relations.

A. Banu Bıçakçı

Dr A. Banu Bıçakçı has lectured at Yeditepe University’s  Public Relations and Publicity department since 2006. Her research and publications focus on corporate public relations, history of public relations, corporate social responsibility, sustainability and persuasion. She recently co-authored Milestones in Turkish Public Relations History, published in the Public Relations Review and also co-authored a chapter on Turkish PR history in an upcoming international book. She is currently on the editorial board of Global Media Journal, Turkish edition. Dr. Bıçakçı is a member of EUPRERA, ECREA and IAMCR.