ISTANBUL -- In Soviet Russia, during the 1991 coup, they showed Swan Lake.
In Turkey, it was penguins.
When violent clashes broke out between protesters and police in Istanbul last week, national TV channels ran with other stories.
Broadcasts included a cooking show, a full-length documentary on Adolf Hitler and, on CNNTurk, a nature show about penguins.
Angry protesters gathered outside two TV stations early this week -- angry that they had to rely on social media for information about the protests.
But social media has also allowed protesters to ruthlessly ridicule the broadcasters and has prompted at least one to issue an apology.
And the penguin -- not particularly prevalent in this country, lapped by the waters of the Mediterranean and Black seas -- has become a sensation.
This following mockup of armed pengiuns reads:
-- Glenn Kates
In Turkey, it was penguins.
When violent clashes broke out between protesters and police in Istanbul last week, national TV channels ran with other stories.
Broadcasts included a cooking show, a full-length documentary on Adolf Hitler and, on CNNTurk, a nature show about penguins.
From last night: While Istanbul burned, CNN-Turk played this penguin documentary dly.do/1aT487G twitter.com/dailydot/statu…
— The Daily Dot (@dailydot) June 3, 2013
Angry protesters gathered outside two TV stations early this week -- angry that they had to rely on social media for information about the protests.
But social media has also allowed protesters to ruthlessly ridicule the broadcasters and has prompted at least one to issue an apology.
And the penguin -- not particularly prevalent in this country, lapped by the waters of the Mediterranean and Black seas -- has become a sensation.
Probably my favorite of the CNN-penguin mainstream media silence in Turkey memes so far! #occupygezi #occupygezinyc twitter.com/ILoveArctic/st…
— Zafer Avindik (@ILoveArctic) June 5, 2013
Penguins are the meme of this protest. Actor Sermiyan Midyat goes on CNN Turkey wearing... a penguin t-shirt.twitter.com/aycanarslan/st…
— Zeynep Tufekci (@zeynep) June 4, 2013
This following mockup of armed pengiuns reads:
"Antarctica is resisting! The penguins: It's not about the melting glaciers!
Istanbul weather: gas, 27 degrees; Ankara: gas in the evening hours."
Istanbul weather: gas, 27 degrees; Ankara: gas in the evening hours."
Sarcastic reactions by #occupygezi protestors on media. CNN Turk aired documentary on penguins at the heat of events. twitter.com/ORHANBURSALI/s…
— Anonymous (@AnonOpsLegion) June 4, 2013
RT @sevincrende: CNN Turk's famous penguins are back, this time as #graffiti bit.ly/15DqiKB#direngeziparki
— Amanda Holpuch (@holpuch) June 5, 2013
-- Glenn Kates