During his opening remarks of the Second Communications Council, held at the ATO Congresiumwith the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Presidency's Head of Communications, Burhanettin Duran, said that it was an honour to revive this long-established consultation platform—first launched in 2003—after a 23-year hiatus under the auspices of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications and with the vision of the ''Century of Türkiye: The Century of Communication".
Head of Communications Duran stated that the world of communications has undergone an almost complete transformation in the years since the First Communications Council, noting that we are now living through a period in which concepts such as artificial intelligence, algorithmic steering, and digital sovereignty are driving comprehensive transformations in the fields of communications and media.
Head of Communications Duran emphasised that, in a world transitioning from the age of communication to the age of narratives, artificial intelligence has emerged, in a sense, as a deterrent power, stating, ''Techno-capitalism is in a position to construct the narratives that control us and to shape our consciousness, perception, and conscience. As a result, communications has today become a direct component of state capacity and a strategic element of sovereignty. It was with these considerations and motivations that we organised the Second Communications Council. We organised meetings with the aim of identifying the challenges of the world we live in, consolidating our strengths, and addressing our shortcomings.''
''The vision of the Century of Communication has served as a compass for us''
Referring to President Erdoğan, Head of Communications Duran stated that ''His Excellency’s vision of the Century of Communication has served as a compass for us when organising the Communications Council,'' adding that their sincere efforts to address the loss of meaning in the era they live in constitute one of the most important pillars of this Council.
Head of Communications Duran stated, ''Within the framework of the Century of Communication vision, we strive to make communication policies an integral part of national capacity. Today, as we find it increasingly difficult to discover meaning and truth, we are witnessing reality reconstructed again and again through deepfakes, filter bubbles, and echo chambers. For us, combating disinformation in this environment is a matter of safeguarding the truth.''
Noting that humanity has recently faced one of its gravest tests in this field in Gaza, Head of Communications Duran continued his remarks:
''While Gaza has become a target of occupation and oppression on the one hand, it has also turned into the most challenging front of the battle of narratives between truth and falsehood on the other. Thankfully, we have never fallen into the digital black hole created by Western-based media outlets regarding Gaza. Despite the techno-fascism that has repeatedly attempted to censor the truth conveyed to the world from Gaza by TRT and Anadolu Agency, we have exposed Israel's narrative of victimhood and overturned its propaganda disguised as self-defence. Today, if millions of people across the globe can empathise with the suffering of Gaza and if the truth about our brothers and sisters in Gaza—which is sought to be concealed—has found resonance in the global conscience, Mr President, it is thanks to the courage and determination we have drawn from your belief that ‘a fairer world is possible’. If today Türkiye has become a country that not only manages crises but also contributes to shaping the global agenda, if it has succeeded in making the defence of truth an integral part of its foreign policy, if it has risen to the status of a country that generates its concepts and is increasingly cited as a reference in international discussions, and if it has established itself as a global actor that writes its own story in its own words, Mr President, I would like to express that we owe a great deal to Your Excellency, who is the greatest architect of this achievement. I hereby offer my respects and gratitude to Your Excellency."
"Powerful nations of the future will not only be those that produce technology but also those that build trust"
Head of Communications Duran pointed out that the current period is not merely one in which the international system is in crisis, but also a historic turning point during which the institutions, norms and shared values that lend legitimacy to this system have suffered serious erosion.
Head of Communications, Duran, emphasised that what is needed at a time like this is a new approach to communication that would restore trust between nations, safeguard the truth and reinvigorate humanity’s collective conscience, and said, “It is precisely from this perspective that we view the ‘Century of Communication’ vision. Türkiye aims to strengthen its strategic communication capabilities while contributing to the establishment of a new international communication architecture that is fairer, more reliable and centred on the truth. Accordingly, we are resolutely pursuing a comprehensive capacity-building process that encompasses strengthening our human resources in communication, digital transformation, artificial intelligence literacy, and ethical journalism. Because we believe that the powerful nations of the future will not only be those that produce technology but also those that build trust, defend the truth and offer humanity a shared horizon."
Head of Communications Duran thanked the academics, media representatives, experts and young communicators who contributed to the Council and shared their experience and ideas.
Head of Communications Duran, who also expressed his gratitude to President Erdoğan for his participation, wished the Council to yield favourable outcomes.
During the programme, a video prepared by the Directorate of Communications was screened, outlining Türkiye’s efforts in the field of communications.