The Impact of the Legal Structure of Audiovisual Media on Good Governance: A Comparative Study of Iran and Turkey

Good governance, as one of the fundamental concepts in political science and public law, is based on indicators such as transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and the rule of law. Mass media, particularly radio and television, are key components in achieving these indicators, as they both facilitate the free flow of information and serve as tools for public oversight of government performance. This study adopts a comparative approach to examine the legal framework governing audiovisual media in Iran and Turkey. In Iran, according to Article ۴۴ of the Constitution, ownership and management of radio and television are exclusively under state control, which has limited media diversity and weakened transparency and public participation. In contrast, Turkey, since the ۱۹۹۰s, has implemented legal reforms and established an independent regulatory authority, RTÜK, enabling private media operations and partially reducing state monopoly. The findings indicate that the existence of an open legal framework and an independent regulatory body is directly associated with the enhancement of good governance indicators. Therefore, revising laws related to media ownership and oversight in Iran could constitute a fundamental step toward achieving effective governance and strengthening governmental accountability.

Keywords:

Good governance , media , radio and television , Iran , Turkey , media diversity , transparency