Ankara University Social Sciences Institute Academic Staff Member and Communication Specialist Dr. Gamze Göker was the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Communication and Media Studies Faculty for the 5th International Career Week.
Göker shared her knowledge and experience with students at the talk titled “Social Movements and Digital Activism” organized by the EMU Journalism Department. The opening speech of the talk was delivered by Communication and Media Studies Faculty Academic Staff member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hanife Aliefendioğlu.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aliefendioğlu noted that Göker is one of the few people who can integrate communication and women’s studies, stating her satisfaction regarding Göker’s participation.
Touching upon the network society that came to existence with the internet as well as new media and social movements, Göker indicated that new social movements are identity based rather than class based and that they are established trying to understand differences and meet needs.
“Somebody is watching us”
Göker touched upon governments using new communication technologies to create surveillance societies. “Anonymous internet usage is important for both political and private purposes in undeveloped countries in terms of individual privacy and safe opposition”.
“Digital activism is forming its own media”
Göker stated that digital activism at times forms its own media when mainstream media ignores oppositional social movements noting “The voice of the TEKEL and Gezi Park resistance is social media.” The talk came to an end with a question and answer session and a group photo.
