Use of Artificial Intelligence in Turkey’s Alternative News Media

Barış Çoban

doi:10.6667/interface.26.2025.252

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Turkey’s Alternative News Media

Barış Çoban

Abstract

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Turkey’s alternative media landscape underscores a transformative shift in journalism, especially within a context marked by authoritarian governance and polarised media ecosystems. This paper examines the dual-edged potential of AI in reshaping alternative journalism under Turkey’s restrictive media environment. AI tools like generative models, advanced analytics, and automated content creation enable independent journalists to counter resource limitations, enhance investigative reporting, and expand audience engagement. Despite these advancements, ethical dilemmas and operational risks emerge, particularly within politically sensitive contexts.
This research explores how AI adoption in Turkey’s alternative media intersects with global trends while navigating unique local constraints. Findings reveal uneven AI literacy among journalists, scepticism regarding its reliability, and challenges linked to biased algorithms and privacy violations. However, AI’s ability to democratise content creation and support investigative journalism highlights its potential as a powerful tool for countering authoritarian control.
The study advocates for robust ethical frameworks, transparency in AI applications, and interdisciplinary collaboration to mitigate risks and foster responsible adoption. Emphasising training and resource access for alternative media highlights the critical need for equitable AI integration.

Keywords

Alternative media, artificial intelligence, AI in journalism, media polarisation, journalistic innovation

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6667/interface.26.2025.252

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