Abstract:  Press freedom in Turkey has frequently been questioned throughout its history. Acts of violence against journalists have become a critical issue sometimes resulting in fatalities. This study examines how murders of journalists in Turkey are represented in the media. It focuses on whose stories of the murdered journalists are neglected and whose are brought to the forefront. By addressing the representation of these deaths, the research questions the role of both traditional and digital media in shaping public perception. It investigates how long death-related news remains in the public spotlight and whether commemorations on death anniversaries receive coverage. Numerical differences regarding deaths between new media and traditional media outlets have also been examined. Additionally, the study explores the social and political contexts that contribute to the silences, omissions, and gaps in the narratives surrounding murdered journalists. Through these findings, the study aims to reveal how these stories contribute to the construction and erasure of memory in the media landscape.

Keywords:  digital media; journalist murders; media representation; press freedom; Turkish media

Published:   10 November 2025

Issue:   Vol 13 (2025): Death Notice/Body Copy: Representations of Death in Global Journalism (In Progress)