Incubator for independent media

Taking part in the Knowledge Exchange Week gave Eda Doğançay the opportunity to reflect on how several independent Turkish media organisations are innovating to survive, and how collaborating with each other could strengthen the whole media ecosystem. This article is part of a two part series exploring how different media platforms are surviving in Turkey. Read part one here.

In the first part of the article, I explored the resilience and evolution of independent journalism in Turkey. I delved into the strategies employed by two Turkish media platforms that cover comprehensive news categories and aspire to grow into mainstream news channels that uphold objective and quality journalism. In the second part, I will examine the strategies employed by three digital media platforms that specialise in gender-based journalism.

Before diving into these strategies, I would like to share my personal experience as an editor and journalist. My journey serves as an example of the challenges faced by digital outlets that prioritise certain social or political issues, particularly in countries with autocratic governments masquerading as democracies, such as Turkey.

"My journey serves as an example of the challenges faced by digital outlets that prioritise certain social or political issues, particularly in countries with autocratic governments masquerading as democracies, such as Turkey."

Until very recently I was the editor-in-chief of SES Equality, Justice, and Women Platform, which since 2018 has shared news articles and produced original content on gender equality, women’s rights and justice, and women in politics, business and the arts. Founded by the SES Equality and Solidarity Association, the platform was primarily funded by local and international grants, but was unable to secure funding in 2024 and financial constraints meant I had to leave.

While heavy reliance on funding may be seen as a strategic error, it was a necessity given the political and economic climate. Companies were unwilling to advertise with the platform as “women’s rights” is considered a controversial issue under an authoritarian regime. With donations too low to sustain the platform, it laid off its employees in an effort to recover and restart. Although I returned from the Knowledge Exchange week with numerous ideas to help the board redesign the platform’s financial resources, I was unable to implement them. Despite this setback, I remain hopeful the platform will learn from past mistakes and developing innovative strategies to overcome its challenges, and I, myself, hope to put into practice the valuable insights I gained from the Guardian in future endeavours.

Now, let’s look at other digital platforms focusing on gender-based journalism, namely Kadın İşçi, Ekmek ve Gül, and Çatlak Zemin.

The mission-driven model: financing in women’s journalism

Digital platforms that focus on gender-based journalism have a distinct approach, with their commitment to a worldview that supports their mission necessitating a unique business model. These platforms prioritise women’s issues, addressing underrepresentation and advocating for their rights. Consequently, they emphasise accessibility and solidarity and often resist the capitalist norms that perpetuate patriarchy, such relying on advertising revenue. This resistance compels them to explore innovative and sustainable financing methods. Some secure funding through grants; others avoid dependence on external funding altogether, opting instead to collaborate with larger media organisations or operate on a volunteer basis. To illustrate this, let’s consider three examples from Turkey.

A Fight for female labour rights: Kadın İşçi

Kadın İşçi is a weekly digital publication founded by independent feminists including trade unionists, academics, journalists, nurses, students, teachers, factory workers and NGO workers. Launched in 2020 with the slogan “For all our forms of labour, everywhere”. Kadın İşçi focuses on both paid and unpaid women’s labour. Its primary discussion area is women’s paid labour and the workplace violations they face, and its core commitment to feminism serves as its guiding principle.

“The language we use is deliberately accessible, steering clear of academic jargon and English terminology to make the content more relatable to everyday readers,” says Sare Öztürk, an editorial board member. Kadın İşçi does not pursue paid subscriptions or donations, as such methods do not align with its ethical and political stance as a publication dedicated to underrepresented female workers.

After a debate about whether the publication could continue on a voluntary basis, the decision was made to establish an association and seek funding. Currently, Kadın İşçi is sustained by funds from Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, an alternative policy lobby group and educational institution in Germany, and MamaCash, an international women’s fund.

“While this support continues, funders now have their own political agendas, leading to a shift towards projects aimed at strengthening the left in Turkey … MamaCash provides more publication-focused funding, but overall, securing funds for the publication remains a challenge,” notes Öztürk. She says the team debated applying for EU funds but were concerned it could affect its content and be politically incompatible. She adds: “Instead, Kadın İşçi aims for independent and alternative funding sources and has not accepted any advertisements to date.”

To support the publication, Kadın İşçi organises workshops for students and union members interested in women’s labour that aim to teach news-making methods and support the publication with fresh content and perspectives. If funding issues arise, reducing the publication’s scale is an option, but the primary goal remains continuity.

Last year, with support from Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Turkey, Kadın İşçi organised a summer camp in Ayvacık, Çanakkale, a coastal Aegean town. Thirty-one women participated in workshops on paid and unpaid labour, women’s rights, worker health and safety, non-sexist collective agreements, and combating workplace and domestic violence and harassment. Despite budget constraints, the team hopes to continue this camp biannually. Additionally, Kadın İşçi organised a symposium to develop literature and concepts around paid and unpaid women’s labour. The team aims to hold the symposium – which also led to a book – every two years.

These activities increase the publication’s visibility and boost social media reach and readership. “Our aim is not just to publish but also to contribute to feminist methods and literature, maintaining a clear ideological stance,” Öztürk says.

Kadın İşçi began with 34 women, a number that has fluctuated over time. It has a two-person advisory board and two full-time employees, although staffing levels vary depending on funded projects. The publication maintains a network of reporters, ensuring authors are paid for their contributions, adhering to its commitment to supporting women’s labour in every aspect.

A Platform for Women’s Solidarity: Ekmek ve Gül

Ekmek ve Gül’s journey began in 2008 with a women’s programme on Hayat TV, a Turkish TV channel. This soon evolved into a monthly magazine, published as a supplement to Evrensel newspaper, a daily publication focusing on worker rights. When the TV channel was shut down under the emergency statutory decree issued in the aftermath of the 15 July failed coup d’état, alongside 11 other television and 11 radio stations, Ekmek ve Gül launched a website and also began to function as the women’s desk for Evrensel newspaper, continuing to publish the Ekmek ve Gül magazine. “The newspaper provides our financial resources,” says Elif Turgut, the editor of Ekmek ve Gül. She adds that although the website operates independently, it shares paid staff with the newspaper.

The revenue model for Evrensel newspaper, which supports Ekmek ve Gül, relies on sales and e-newspaper subscriptions. After losing advertising revenue from the Press Advertisement Institution, Evrensel called for solidarity, encouraging readers to support the printed newspaper and subscribe to the e-newspaper. “We wanted to generate income for Evrensel and reach our readers digitally,” the editor explains. E-newspaper subscriptions offer access to the entire pdf version of the newspaper, allowing subscribers to download past issues as well.

Ekmek ve Gül also has its own editorial team, consisting of female volunteers from various cities, where women come together in Ekmek ve Gül groups to discuss and collaborate. “We produce unique content for Ekmek ve Gül, including special articles and video programmes,” the editor says, highlighting their dual role as a publishing platform and an organising tool for the women’s movement.

The web portal of Ekmek ve Gül transcends the typical news site. It is a space where women from various backgrounds connect and produce content collaboratively. “We established Ekmek ve Gül with the hope that it would be a platform for women and workers and laborers,” Turgut explains.

Women in different cities are forming their own Ekmek ve Gül groups, driven by a desire to voice their concerns and take action. These groups sustain their operations through solidarity and gatherings. “The main aim is for women to use Ekmek ve Gül as a platform and a tool for struggle, wherever they are,” the editor says.

“Our initial goal was for women to come together and take initiative wherever they are,” the editor says, pointing out that this aim was consistent even when they early on they had handed microphones to women on Hayat TV to let them lead discussions. These talks have led to the formation of Ekmek ve Gül groups in various neighbourh​oods, sometimes under different names or as associations. These groups operate independently with their own boards and income models, using the Ekmek ve Gül website to amplify their voices.

Ekmek ve Gül is continually evolving, creating its organisational​ model by forming circles of growth in different cities through these groups. “We have a medium-sized editorial team consisting of members from Ekmek ve Gül groups and women’s associations in various cities,” the editor says.

Accessibility is at the heart of their work. “It’s important that our content is available to everyone. We want it to be a place where women can come together, share their struggles, and feel the presence of other women like them at every moment in life. The more women we reach, the better,” Turgut says, highlighting a commitment to making all content publicly available and as widely disseminated as possible.

Volunteers Unite: Çatlak Zemin

Last but not least, Çatlak Zemin has carved out a unique space within Turkey’s media landscape. It did not emerge with the intention of securing a place in the media or claiming the title of a feminist media outlet, but was born out of a pressing need to create a platform for feminist politics, and to amplify voices and reach other women. This differentiation is crucial: unlike other media organisations, Çatlak Zemin was not established to engage in journalism or produce content for content’s sake. It arose from the founders’ desire to promote the work they were already doing. Over time, however, it has evolved into a space where external writers also contribute their perspectives.

"Çatlak Zemin was born out of a pressing need to create a platform for feminist politics, and to amplify voices and reach other women."

“The team behind Çatlak Zemin has grown over time, welcoming new members at various intervals,” says Selime Büyükgöze, one of the founders of Çatlak Zemin. “Our work is grounded in volunteerism, with daily communication and workflow managed through email and messages. We hold monthly meetings to stay aligned. Some tasks remain constant as long as volunteers are willing to handle them, while others are rotated. The main responsibilities include editing, communication with writers, technical support, content entry, social media sharing and coordination.”

Çatlak Zemin was founded in 2016 by a group of feminists who aimed to rejuvenate feminist connections and empower women through feminist discourse. The team comprises women with experience in political activism within various organisations, collectives and platforms. By 2016, many feminist organisations had disbanded for various reasons, and the idea of reorganising seemed impossible under the circumstances. This led to the creation of the website to voice feminist opinions on current issues.

The team currently comprises 23 dedicated volunteers. They chose volunteerism because, although Çatlak Zemin is a feminist publishing activity, it remains firmly rooted in feminist politics and activism. “We believe that feminist politics are only possible through organised struggle, and Çatlak Zemin is not intended to generate income,” she says. Reflecting on the past, she notes: “Magazines used to be central to political organisation. Similarly, Çatlak Zemin’s website serves as a modern platform for political engagement. Before the pandemic, we even organised​ various events and reader meet-ups to foster community and dialogue.”

Final Thoughts

In the evolving landscape of independent journalism in Turkey, resilience and innovation shine through. Despite political pressures and financial uncertainties, journalists have adapted, leveraging digital platforms to ensure objective and high-quality journalism. The experiences of Medyascope and 10Haber illustrate the diverse strategies employed to sustain operations. While some are supported by international funding and private investments, others rely on volunteers and community engagement.

"Despite political pressures and financial uncertainties, journalists have adapted, leveraging digital platforms to ensure objective and high-quality journalism."

Programmes ​such as The Guardian Foundation’s Knowledge exchange week underscore the importance of adapting global best practices to local contexts and in fostering a culture of mutual support and continuous innovation. These initiatives highlight the potential for a sustainable and independent media ecosystem in Turkey is within reach.

As these independent media platforms navigate their challenges, they embody the principles of journalistic integrity and pursuit of truth. By aligning their editorial missions with sustainable business practices, they pave the way for independent journalism to thrive. The path forward is not just about survival but about carving out a space where diverse voices can be heard, fostering a more informed and engaged society.

Read part 1 here

Since 2018, Eda has served as the chief editor of the SES Equality, Justice, Women Platform. She was also the project coordinator for ""The Voice of Women"" and ""Women’s Voice for Peace"" projects.