How a Turkish Media Giant Rose to Millions and Fell to Government Seizure
In short: Founded in 1986, Zaman became Turkey’s highest-circulation newspaper, reaching over one million subscribers by 2011. Known for its global reach and critical stance toward the ruling party, the publication faced intense scrutiny, mass arrests of its staff, and a final, controversial government takeover that erased its digital archives.
Zaman, meaning time or era, established itself as a major force in Turkish journalism after its 1986 founding. It was a pioneer in digital media, becoming the first Turkish daily to launch an online version in 1995. By 2008, it boasted a circulation of about 890,000, and by January 2014, it had surpassed 1 million copies. Its influence extended far beyond Istanbul; the paper was printed in 11 countries and distributed in 35, with editions appearing in 10 different languages, including Azeri, Bulgarian, and Uzbek. The paper was also recognized for its design, earning dozens of awards from the Society for News Design, including 42 in 2008 alone.
The newspaper’s editorial trajectory was marked by a significant shift. Initially supportive of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), it became increasingly critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, particularly following the closure of a 2013 corruption investigation. This stance drew the ire of the government, which accused the paper of ties to the Hizmet movement led by Fethullah Gülen. Tensions escalated in December 2014 when police arrested senior journalists, including editor-in-chief Ekrem Dumanli, on charges of belonging to an armed terrorist organization. Although Dumanli was released days later due to a lack of evidence, the pressure on the organization intensified.
The end for the independent Zaman arrived on 4 March 2016, when the Turkish government seized control of the newspaper following a court order. This move was widely condemned by international media groups and officials, including the US State Department and EU leaders, as a violation of democratic principles and press freedom. Following the takeover, the newspaper’s website was rendered inaccessible, and archived content appeared to be wiped. By 27 July 2016, the paper was officially closed by government decree. The first edition published under state control featured a starkly different tone, omitting the seizure events and highlighting pro-government coverage.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Zaman (newspaper)
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