Public attitudes and politicians’ discourses regarding the Syrian diaspora in Türkiye: Implications for the C4D model

Abstract

This study conducts a secondary analysis of national survey data and examines online public discourses regarding Turkish presidential candidates during a contentious election campaign. We explore the relationship between Turkish citizens’ attitudes toward the 3.2 million registered Syrians and the refugee-related messages conveyed by key politicians. Our findings indicate that a majority of Turkish citizens have negative attitudes toward Syrian refugees. Additionally, the discourse shared by presidential candidates on their social media accounts reflects these prevailing negative public sentiments and lacks cohesion or communication for development (C4D) messaging. Based on C4D principles, we suggest that the absence or miscommunication of refugee integration and development initiatives by government institutions may have heightened tensions between the host community and the Syrian diaspora in Türkiye.