Over the past decade, the prices of journalism and media books in Turkey have experienced a significant increase, rising by as much as ten times. Despite this price hike, there remains a high demand for these books, with an average of 1,128 copies sold in the first nine months of 2024 alone through an online sales platform.
The best-selling book in this category is “Kardeşini Doğurmak” by author Büşra Sanay, while journalists Barış Bahlavan and Barış Terkoglu have topped the list of the most popular authors. In commenting on this trend, Barış Terkoglu states:
“People express their discontent in various ways, including reading books that document the reality of the times. Therefore, the role of the reader is not just to buy these books but to adopt them as a part of their identity.”
Price Increase: 2015 to 2024
An analysis of 50 media and journalism books shows that the average price of books, which was around 18 Turkish Lira in 2015, reached 185 Lira in 2024. The most sold books between January and September 2024 were:
- “Kardeşini Doğurmak” by Büşra Sanay: 9,308 copies
- “SS: Süleyman Soylu” by Barış Bahlavan and Barış Terkoglu: 4,876 copies
- “Muharrem” by Barış Bahlavan and Barış Terkoglu: 4,722 copies
In contrast, the best-selling book in 2015 was “Amusing Ourselves to Death” by Neil Postman, a scholarly work discussing the influence of television on social awareness.
Why the Increased Demand?
Barış Terkoglu believes that the popularity of journalism books is not solely due to their intellectual value but also reflects the public’s engagement with political and social events. These books have become a means of expressing opinions and positions. He adds:
“We see people following our books closely, providing recommendations and additions, and some even go to bookstores to request that they be prominently displayed. They are not just buying the books but adopting them as their personal mission.”
Challenges in Publishing and Rising Costs
Despite this growing demand, the publishing sector in Turkey faces significant challenges due to the rising costs of printing and distribution. Terkoglu explains:
“Paper is expensive, printing is expensive, storage and transportation costs are high, and even the bookstores selling the books are struggling with increased costs. The final result is that the book has become a costly product.”
He also mentions that the ongoing economic crisis has forced some people to delay purchasing books, negatively impacting both publishers and authors. However, he remains optimistic that books will continue to play a vital role in the cultural landscape, as long as readers continue to seek truth and awareness.
Conclusion
It appears that the rise in book prices has not deterred readers in Turkey from keeping up with the latest journalism releases, especially those that reflect the political and social realities of the country. Despite economic crises, journalism books remain an important tool for conveying truth, expressing positions, and shedding light on the broader social and political scene. This growing interest goes beyond mere purchasing—it signifies a personal adoption of purpose and message.
