Organised by the Faculty of Communication at Marmara University under the theme "Public Diplomacy in the Era of Transformation and Türkiye" and sponsored by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications and the Global Communications Partnership of Anadolu Agency (AA), the opening panel, "Panorama of Türkiye's Public Diplomacy-1," took place at the first Public Diplomacy Symposium.
Chaired by AA Board Member and Faculty Member from İstanbul Medipol University, Prof Yusuf Özkır, the session featured Head of the Department of Public Diplomacy of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, Assoc. Prof Oğuz Güner, AA Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief, Yusuf Özhan, and TRT News Channel Coordinator and Board Member, Mücahid Eker, as panellists.
Head of the Department of Public Diplomacy of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, Assoc. Prof Oğuz Güner stated that public diplomacy has been gaining traction and flourishing in Türkiye for a long time, adding that there has been a significant institutional transformation associated with the establishment of its institutional infrastructure. Assoc. Prof Güner pointed out that a variety of institutions and actors are currently engaged in substantial international endeavours related to Türkiye's humanitarian aid, cultural diplomacy, and educational diplomacy initiatives, all of which are collectively contributing to the promotion of Türkiye's arguments, the notification of public opinion of Türkiye's foreign policy decisions, and the enhancement of its brand and image in the eyes of the international public and society.
Noting that the Department of Public Diplomacy of the Directorate of Communications, established in 2018, is a continuation of the Public Diplomacy Coordination Office, a legacy of the Directorate General of Press and Information, Assoc. Prof Güner said, ''We have multiple duties and activities, including conveying Türkiye's international arguments to the international community, empowering the Türkiye brand and Türkiye's image, and ensuring that the international public receives reliable and accurate information about Türkiye. The Directorate of Communications, in particular, has the authority to build and develop many projects and activities to strengthen communication and interaction between people, as well as to foster a more constructive dialogue and to design policies in this field.
Noting that the Directorate of Communications does not possess this exclusive authority and that numerous institutions engage in a variety of activities that contribute to Türkiye's public diplomacy consistent with their field of activity, Assoc. Prof Güner stated, ''We are an organisation that closely monitors and responds to the international public opinion. We frequently come together with non-governmental organisations, think tanks, academics, and prominent opinion leaders at international summits and visits, organising highly productive meetings on Türkiye's perception and image and collecting feedback.''
Stating that the Directorate of Communications cooperates, consults, and coordinates with many public institutions in accordance with its legislation, Assoc. Prof Güner added:
"In June 2022, we made the Public Diplomacy Monitoring System (KADİZ) operational and established a mechanism for relevant public institutions and organisations to report on their public diplomacy efforts. For us, the mapping of the public diplomacy efforts of Türkiye or the actors involved in the public diplomacy ecosystem has been a highly valuable platform for scanning these efforts. KADİZ provided us with a highly useful venue for mapping public institutions that engage in similar activities with the same motivation across different regions and countries."
"We are working to reverse the adage 'A lie travels around the world while the truth puts on its shoes'"
AA Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief, Yusuf Özhan, stated that Anadolu Agency, a well-established institution with a history of 105 years, was established with the aim of accurately conveying developments in the country and the world, in line with the instructions given by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to the intellectuals of the time. Yusuf Özhan highlighted that recent political and sociological changes have rendered previous debates obsolete, resulting in a new reality. Özhan emphasised that a new understanding has emerged at the heart of public diplomacy, where citizens lead the process instead of a model in which the state controls all information.
Özhan said that with the advancement of technology, citizens became the most effective public diplomats and pointed out that every action carried a message in this new order. Stating that this was clearly demonstrated in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Özhan said, "While there was debate over the reputation of the Olympics, a standout message not only overshadowed the event but also shifted the agenda." Özhan emphasised that at a time when everyone was focusing on symbols, Yusuf Dikeç gave a silent but powerful message with his simple and confident stance. Stating that many athletes showcased their success through the image of Yusuf Dikeç, Özhan said, "This is, in fact, a clear example of public diplomacy." Özhan stated that AA broke down communication barriers with the world by conducting its journalistic activities in 13 different languages and that they were in a race to capture global news and present it to readers worldwide through its correspondents and freelance journalists operating in 135 countries. Özhan stated that, in line with the goal set 105 years ago, they were making intensive efforts to counter the saying, “A lie travels around the world while the truth puts on its shoes,” through written, visual, and other forms of media. Stating that they were not hopeless in this regard, Özhan said, "We have seen many times that, yes, the lie may be powerful, but the truth can also be presented quickly and through multiple channels."
Özhan reminded that Israeli public diplomacy swiftly disseminated the lie that 40 infants were beheaded, attempting to create an emotional breakdown and pave the way for the upcoming genocide following October 7, 2023. Pointing out that even then-US President Joe Biden uttered this lie, Özhan emphasised that they perceived this as a propaganda activity, that they spoke on the phone with the Israeli Army Spokesperson at the time, and that they provided the most significant evidence in response to this issue by reporting the spokesperson's statement, "There is no confirmation of this," which was widely disseminated.
Özhan noted that after October 7, AA's book "The Evidence" made a significant impact on public diplomacy.
Stating that the book "The Evidence" featured images of massacres carried out by Israel and captured by AA photojournalists, the content of which is considered a war crime under the Rome Statute and directly corresponds to that definition, Özhan noted that the book contained information regarding the location and date of mass graves, the slaughter of children and women, and similar crimes that occurred in Gaza.
Remarking that this work was included in the case prosecuted at present at the International Criminal Court, Özhan said, "When journalism lacks meaning on its own, it does not become the diplomacy of anything. Public diplomacy is actually an effort carried out by all those with a conscience. Our establishment's objective and purpose are to ensure that the voices of our country and the oppressed people who are subjected to discrimination are heard in the face of disinformation and distortion."
"TRT serves as a public broadcaster that endeavours to contribute to all fields in its medium"
The TRT News Channel Coordinator and Board Member, Mücahid Eker, stated that TRT is one of the institutions that endeavours to benefit from the opportunities, resources, and advantages of this dynamic field on behalf of Türkiye. Noting that currently, communication has evolved into a field that necessitates the complete mobilisation of all institutions within and outside the country, as well as systematic, strategic, and coordinated action and joint efforts, Eker said, "For this reason, Türkiye has implemented a model known as 'Türkiye's Communication Model'. TRT is also one of the most significant stakeholders of this model."
Emphasising that this model encompasses various dimensions, Eker said, "Increasing Türkiye's qualified representation, empowering its brand, organising reputation-orientated strategic communication campaigns, employing soft power instruments, and combating perception operations and disinformation constitute the main objectives of this model in terms of public diplomacy. TRT serves as a public broadcaster that endeavours to contribute to all fields in its medium."
Noting that TRT has structured its entire organisation in accordance with the requisites of a public broadcaster for a rising country in its region and in the world, Eker stated that they have strongly conveyed Türkiye's rights and arguments to the world public opinion through their broadcasts, productions and events. Highlighting TRT's contributions to public diplomacy with its news channels broadcast in various languages, TV series, films, documentaries and the international digital platform Tabii, Eker added that they strive to raise the voices of those who cannot be heard and render those who are neglected visible, in line with Türkiye's stance.
The opening panel concluded following the presentation of gifts and photo shoots.
