Abstract
The chapter addresses the implementation of “binding group decision” problematically. According to the study, this implementation is a restrictive issue for the discourses and actions of the members of the parliament who are assigned with the duty of representation of the nation and entitled with privileges within the context of freedom of expression. In this context, the legal legislation and bylaws of the political parties with groups in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) and internal regulations are analyzed within the context of restrictive provisions. Moreover, sample cases from 22nd and 24th legislative terms of the TBMM are examined within the context of political communication, freedom of expression, and ethics. This chapter grounds on a descriptive method based on historical events and legal texts. As a result of the study, it should be stressed that the implementation of “binding group decision” needs to be examined in terms of political ethics as a restrictive element for the freedom of expression and communication, despite being legal.
TopBackground
If we want to shape a political communication study based on Albert Camus’s saying “If our speech has no meaning, nothing has meaning” (1991: 23), the principle research can be the existence of the freedom of expression and the second one can be the restrictive issues that demark the freedom of expressions.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Binding Group Decision: Obligation of the Parliament (members) to abide by the decisions made by the political party groups.
Ideology: A collection of political, legal, scientific, philosophic, religious, moral, aesthetic ideas and ideal, especially one which forms a political or social doctrine and dominates the attitudes of a parliament, a political party or a group.
Political Ethics: The practice of making moral judgments about political action and political agents. The ethics of process, focuses on public officials and the methods they use. The ethics of policy concentrates on judgments about policies and laws ( International Encyclopedia of Ethics ).
Identity: A collection of signs, qualities and characteristics that express who you are as a social being.
Freedom of Expression: The right of every individual to hold opinions and to seek, to receive and to impart information and ideas through any media and without interference by the public authorities and considering the national boundaries.
Political Party: An organized political group of people who have the same ideology, opinion and perspective to acquire and exercise political power.
Political Communication: Use of different communication types and tool by the political actors to put their specific ideological aims across to the specific groups, mass, countries or block and to realize and to make applicable these aims when needed.