Ex-mainstream journalists dominate Türkiye’s YouTube audience

Türkiye’s media landscape is witnessing a seismic shift as independent journalists carve out significant niches on digital platforms, attracting viewership numbers that rival the country’s population. A recent report has unveiled the most-watched journalists in Türkiye, highlighting the growing influence of social media in the journalism sector.

Leading the pack: Fatih Altayli and Nevsin Mengu shine

In the realm of female journalists:

• Nevsin Mengu leads with 15 million views, demonstrating her significant impact, especially with 10.9 million views in “shorts.”

• She is followed by Ozlem Gurses with 10.2 million views and Cansu Canan Ozgen with 3.5 million views.

This data reflects the rising prominence of female journalists in Türkiye’s media landscape.

• On the male side, Fatih Altayli claims the top spot with an impressive 18 million views on YouTube.
• Following him is Yilmaz Ozdil, who amassed 11.2 million views.
• Cuneyt Ozdemir rounds out the top three with 7.4 million views.

Altayli’s strength lies particularly in long-format videos, garnering 15.7 million views in this category, whereas Ozdil stands out for his 5.1 million views from “shorts” videos.

Numbers behind fame: Male journalists

The following are the view counts for the most-watched male journalists in September:

• Fatih Altayli: 18.01 million views
• Yilmaz Ozdil: 11.29 million views
• Cuneyt Ozdemir: 7.47 million views
• Enver Aysever: 3.96 million views
• Memduh Bayraktaroglu: 2.59 million views

For female journalists, the top view counts are as follows:

• Nevsin Mengu: 15 million views
• Ozlem Gurses: 10.24 million views
• Cansu Canan Ozgen: 3.53 million views
• Simge Fistikoglu: 2.12 million views
• Sule Aydin: 1.92 million views

Shift in media consumption

This impressive viewership illustrates the increasing impact of digital media on journalism in Türkiye. As journalists connect with a broader audience through online platforms, the traditional media landscape is evolving, allowing independent voices to resonate more widely than ever before. The numbers signify not only the popularity of these journalists but also the shifting dynamics of news consumption in the digital age, emphasizing the role of platforms like YouTube in shaping public discourse.

In summary, as opposition journalists continue to dominate the YouTube audience in Türkiye, the landscape of media consumption is changing, reflecting broader societal trends and the increasing importance of digital platforms in the dissemination of news.