Public Relations in the Ottoman Empire During the Period of Mahmut II and Communication Policies

Abstract

In the Ottoman Empire, the historical basis of public relations was shaped by traditional
governance systems that facilitated communication between rulers and the governed. This study
examines the public communication strategies and practices of Sultan Mahmud II through
various instruments such as mosques, foundations, edicts, ceremonies, newspapers and
provincial visits. This period not only witnessed structural reforms but also marked a
transformation in state-society communication, which is critically analyzed through
contemporary public relations frameworks.