Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun said, "Actors who should bear social responsibility have been developing a dirty language recently against our President and his colleagues, at the expense of polarising the society. It is never possible for them to prevent us from working and walking on our path towards the ideal of a strong Turkey under the leadership of our President. Our Turkey has an open and bright future ahead. Our country is stronger and more resilient than ever."
Director of Communications Altun addressed the institution's personnel during the Human Resources Evaluation Meeting 2021, organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications.
In his speech, Altun initially congratulated the personnel appointed as the regular personnel and stated that they would provide important services for Turkey under the Directorate of Communications' umbrella, in unity and solidarity, and with efforts exerted by each and every employee.
Stating that the Presidential System of Government provides a very strong ground aimed at meeting the country's needs in consequence of a gradual increase in Turkey's regional and global power, Altun said that all the government institutions were restructured in a "nation-oriented" manner in this system, which is in compliance with the political realities of Turkey.
Stressing that the Presidency's Directorate of Communications is one of the most important cornerstones of the new vision of administration put forth by the system, Altun said that the Directorate of Communications fulfilled an essential task with its strategic function among institutions and its multi-dimensional structure.
Altun stated that they had been working endlessly to ensure that Turkey's narrative, theses, claims and practices are explained to the international community with a correct, sustainable and integrated communication strategy, adding, "We have been dedicating all our working hours to carrying out activities worthy of the rise of our country, which has a say in the region and the world".
"It is highly important to show presence on the grounds of integrity and equity"
Fahrettin Altun stated that in this age, which is called post-truth, struggling with the mentality that brings falsehood into the foreground by clouding the facts, and being a truth advocate could only be ensured with a well-designed communications strategy.
Underlining the strategic importance of showing presence in digital media channels on the grounds of integrity and equity, Altun said, "As Directorate of Communications, we carry out a great many works that emphasise the importance of truth in Turkey and the world. We continue to bring our slogan "Long live the truth!" to a wider audience and to stand by the truth advocates every day".
"In the age of intense and uncontrolled information, as in our ancient words, always 'being foresighted and vigilant" has become more important than ever," said Altun, adding, "At this point, being equipped with the ability to distinguish between right and wrong will be our most critical armour and weapon. Therefore, it is critical to be aware of and benefit from the opportunities created by the new era, as well as to be alert for and fight against the potential threats".
Stressing that being continuously involved in innovation and development was also required by the responsibility towards the nation and all humanity, Altun said, "We, as the Directorate of Communications, are sensitive towards this issue to the fullest extent in order to enhance our institutional capacity. Within the framework of strategic planning, we constantly invest in all areas, from our human resources to our legislation and physical infrastructure, with the understanding of high quality, and we develop our institution. Each of our employees supports the struggle for truth of our country and our Directorate."
"Targeting our state, its institutions and workers is a betrayal"
Stating that one part of politics and the media in Turkey was acting as if they waged war against all forms of the truth, Altun noted the following:
"Every single day, a work, a project or an activity of the state is targeted, and the public is manipulated with lies. Especially in recent days, we have witnessed that actors, who should bear social responsibility, have developed a dirty language towards our esteemed President and his colleagues at the cost of polarising society. The scale of insults is at times so high that even responding to them is dishonourable to us from a humanitarian standpoint. We are dealing with further increasing insults against the institutions and its workers, and discussions full of superficial ignorance contained within the appointed-elected context."
Indicating that this systematic attack against the state's institutions and workers has recently manifested itself with the 'militant' rhetoric, Altun stressed that this discourse means an attack against democracy, law and national sovereignty.
Making opposition and criticism should be within democratic limits and this low-brow language, which Turkey does not deserve, has no equivalence in society, Altun said: "The Republic of Turkey is the successor of thousands of years of state tradition and a great civilisation. It is a betrayal to history and nation to target our state, its institutions and its employees who are working with all their power for the sake of our beloved nation and all humanity, as they were in the past. Of course, it is never possible to retard us from our work and prevent us from walking towards powerful Turkey ideal under the leadership of our President."
"Turkey has a clear path and a bright future"
Fahrettin Altun continued as follows:
"It is an obvious truth that Turkey has a clear path and a bright future. Our country is stronger and more resilient than ever. We act with the awareness that we are one of the important actors of the new world with our nation, leader, and state institutions. We continue our struggle for rights and justice not only for our country but also for our region and the whole world. Our President's message "The World is Bigger than 5" became the voice of the search for a just world order and the global conscience. Because we know that: Turkey is greater than Turkey. Achieving to become the hope of hundreds of millions of people from different cultures and nations has historically been destined to very few states. Turkey is about the only country that achieved this in modern times. Turkey is a country with a message to convey to the world. We have a heavy burden; however, we have a strong state with all means and a resilient, conscientious, strong leader."
Altun, who also gave advice to the employees of the institution, conveyed President Erdoğan's motto, 'If you cannot get spiritual pleasure from what you do, that work is a burden on you', and he added: "This is the motto behind the inexhaustible energy, determination and effort he put forward to serve the nation. For you, the issue should not only be to carry out the routine but also to devote yourself to your duty with your mind and heart. We will continue to exert efforts tirelessly and with love for works that will be both an experience of spiritual pleasure as individuals and a source of pride for our nation. I believe that together you will achieve many proud-inspiring accomplishments on behalf of our country and our Directorate."