A Struggle Newspaper! Democrat Izmir

II. Turkey, which wanted to take part in the "free world" after World War II, stepped into multi-party life, and the Democratic Party, whose central branches were established in Izmir and Istanbul in February 1946, entered an intensive organization process throughout the country. In this period when democracy speeches were being made at every corner, the single-party government was standing with all its despotism, and the opposition party that was being established was being suppressed along with all the contradictory voices of the country.

In those days, a single-leaf newspaper published in Izmir by the people who organized the Democratic Party in the Aegean region was trying to raise the voice of the opposition throughout the country with its copies circulating from hand to hand.

On May 14, 1950, Demokrat İzmir newspaper, which "achieved victory in its struggle", embarked on a new struggle when the party it brought to power moved away from its founding principles and attempted to stifle freedom of expression, and joined the Freedom Party movement together with the Aegean Democrats, who tried to stop the increasing anti-democratic practices by demanding the right of proof to the press.

The book you are holding in your hands tells the recent history of a country where those who seek "the good, the right and the beautiful" are rewarded with "large link chains" and the unchanging fate of the Turkish press through the eyes of a struggling newspaper.

DEMOCRATIC IZMIR IS COMING OUT

Today, "Democrat Izmir", the first issue of which is in your hands, has started to spread to work for the sake of the nation and the country. Our newspaper will rejoice in the joy of the Turkish nation and share its grief. Democrat Izmir, whose sole concern is to numb the nation's excitement towards democracy, has made it its first duty to achieve full freedom and democracy in the country as soon as possible.

Our newspaper will be delighted to provide its readers with the valuable articles of many of our politicians who are known throughout the country as democrats. Moreover, Demokrat İzmir will soon show that it is an excellent newspaper, with the latest news coming from Ankara, Istanbul and all over the country, quotes from the world press and jokes that we will present to our readers by phone from the Turkish press day by day. Democrat Izmir is the newspaper of those who love democracy and want to see this country prosperous in every respect. Democrat Izmir, 25 December 1946

(From the Promotional Bulletin)

Editor: Yücel Demirel

Dough Type: 2nd Dough

Size: 16.5 x 24

First Print Year: 2018

Number of Printings: 1st Edition