Turkish satirical press during the Second Constitutional Era

Abstract

In the article is studied the Turkish satirical press during the Second Constitutional Era. It is noted
that satirical magazines criticizing the state and government were under the control of the palace up to this
stage and faced censorship. After the announcement of the second Constitutional Era (1908-1918) one of the
most important issues in Turkish life has been the publication of satirical magazines. In the first year of the
Second Constitutional Era 92 satirical magazines and newspapers were published. Until this time, the target
of the caricatures depicting the events in the country might not have been the kings and grand viziers, but
those in lower positions than them. These have long been left behind, conditions have been created for the
activity of satirical magazines, and the publication of caricatures has become a reality. For this reason, the
influence of satirical magazines on the readership was stronger than that of newspaper articles. During this
period, along with newspapers of opinion and thought “Igdam”, “Sabah”, “Terjumani-Hagigat”, “Seadet” the
satirical magazines and newspapers such as “Guduk”, “Hajivat”, “Kahkaha” (1875), “Shaka”, “Shair
Nedim”, “Puskullu Bela”, “Kalem”, “Cingoz”, “Hokkabaz”, “Geveze”, “Dalkavuk” (1908), “Joshkun
Kalender”, “Davul”, “Kel Hasan”, “Laklak” (1909), “Eshek”, “Gidik” (1910), “Jadaloz”, “Jurjuna”, “Falaka”  (1911), “Nasreddin Hoja”, “Caricature” (1914) were published. These publications at first had the purpose of
entertainment, but over time, they focused on criticizing the backwardness, shortcomings, and negative
situations in the country's socio-political and social life.