May 27, 1960 Military Coup Effort to Legitimize: Example of Akis Magazine

In this study, the issues of Akis magazine between May 30, 1960 and December 19, 1960 are examined to focus on the ground of legitimacy created for May 27, 1960 Military Coup. Akis, which was published between May 15, 1954 and December 31, 1967, has an important place in the history of magazine publishing. Akis is also an important example for the role of press in establishing the legitimacy required by the military government after May 27, 1960, which is a powerful breaking period of Turkey. The magazine, which was published by Metin Toker, son-in-law of İsmet İnonü, in the relevant period, played an efficient role in Turkish politics since the first day of its publishing. The statement of the soldiers who performed May 27 event that Akis had affected them before that date is making the magazine even more interesting. In this study, which sets off from this information, 7 months period from May 30, 1960, the first issue after May 27, to the last issue of the year on December 19, 1960 were scanned. During this process, the definition of May 27 by the magazine to the interpretation of the method to change the government along with the language used about National Unity Committee (MBK) members and Democrat Party (DP) members, the adjectives used about İsmet İnönü and the opinions on Yassıada were examined. This data, which is examined with historical descriptive analysis method, has revealed the efforts of Akis to provide legitimacy of the government. This study, which shows effort to present an example of the press that reflects an important power in political perception and interpretation in Turkey within the history, is thought to provide contribution to the discussions about press – government relations.

Keywords

Akis Magazine, May 27, 1960, Legitimacy of Government, Military Coup