Who Owns Hürriyet? Ownership, Political Bias, and Editorial Standards
Hürriyet Overview and Political Bias
Hürriyet is often described by media analysts as a pro-government outlet following its 2018 ownership change. Critics argue it has abandoned its secular, mainstream heritage to support the AKP's agenda. Watchdogs suggest its reporting on domestic politics lacks independence, frequently using language that aligns with state-driven narratives while marginalizing opposition perspectives.
| Standpoint | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Overall political leaning | Center Right |
| Estimated number of readers | 75,000,000 |
| Israel support | Pro-Palestine (Mainly aligns with Turkish state policy) |
| Use of loaded / emotional language | Medium |
| Target Audience | Mass market |
Hürriyet History
Founded in 1948 by Sedat Simavi, Hürriyet grew into Turkey’s most influential daily, known for its 'Turkey belongs to the Turks' motto. It was a flagship of the Doğan Media Group for decades, representing a secular-liberal viewpoint before undergoing significant editorial shifts following its sale to Demirören Holding in 2018.
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Who owns Hürriyet?
Hürriyet is owned by Demirören Holding, a large Turkish conglomerate with interests in energy, construction, and media. The 2018 acquisition from Doğan Holding was reportedly funded by state-bank loans. Critics describe Demirören as having close ties to the Turkish government, leading to concerns regarding the outlet's editorial autonomy.