Participatory media, civic culture and their limits: Revisiting çapul.tv in the aftermath of the Gezi park protests

Abstract

The Gezi Park protests of 2013 can be understood as a networked movement of resistance in Turkiye, that emerged in response to the social and political tensions intensified by the neoliberal policies. Amid the limited coverage of mainstream media, digital platforms such as Facebook and Twitter became central channels for information exchange, directing public attention toward participatory online initiatives including & ccedil;apul.tv and Occupy Gezi. & ccedil;apul.tv stood out as a volunteer-driven media collective that extended its focus beyond the immediate protest context to broader struggles for social rights and civic engagement. Drawing on qualitative interview data, this study examines & ccedil;apul.tv as a historically situated case of participatory media, exploring its role in the Gezi movement and its immediate aftermath through the lens of civic culture. The findings highlight both the potential and the limitations of participatory media in fostering civic engagement, particularly in relation to issues of sustainability, organizational structure and political constraints. By situating & ccedil;apul.tv within the broader transformation of Turkiye's media landscape, the article contributes to ongoing debates on digital activism, alternative media and the conditions under which participatory initiatives can endure beyond moments of protest.