JOURNAL ARTICLE

'The first to report wins': The McDonaldization of digital journalism in Turkey.

  • Published In: Journal of Applied Journalism & Media Studies, 2025, v. 14, n. 1. P. 33 1 of 3

  • Database: Communication Source 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Çifçi, Muhammet Emin; Ayhan, Bünyamin 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines the presence of McDonaldization—a concept developed by George Ritzer describing the spread of efficiency, calculability, predictability, control, and the irrationality of rationality beyond fast-food businesses—within digital journalism in Turkey. Through semi-structured interviews with news editors from Turkey's top three news websites, the study identifies these five dimensions manifesting in digital journalism, contributing to issues such as standardized news content, diminished news quality, reduced editorial initiative, and alienation of editors from their work. While digital journalism offers readers fast, easy, and free access to news, it also exposes them to inaccuracies, clickbait, and extensive data monitoring for advertising purposes. The study concludes that McDonaldization benefits media owners economically but produces various irrationalities affecting readers and journalists, and suggests that reversing this trend depends largely on readers' demand for higher-quality journalism.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Applied Journalism & Media Studies. 2025/03, Vol. 14, Issue 1, p33
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Computer Science
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:2001-0818
  • DOI:10.1386/ajms_00100_1
  • Accession Number:186743580
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