A panel titled “The Transformation of Global Public Opinion in the Digital Communication Ecosystem” was held as part of the International Strategic Communication Summit (STRATCOM) 2026.
Speaking at the panel organised in İstanbul by the Directorate of Communications were President of Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) Mehmet Daniş; MHP Erzurum MP Prof Kamil Aydın; Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency Ahmad Ismayilov; and Secretary General of Jordan’s Ministry of Government Communication Dr Zaid Al Nawaiseh.
RTÜK President Daniş noted that news is no longer produced through centralised distribution institutions, but rather through a dispersed, multi-layered and dynamic digital network, adding that individuals are no longer merely consumers but also content producers. Emphasising that RTÜK now aims to safeguard individuals’ cognitive and moral boundaries, Daniş said:
“Society is now clearly saying, ‘Do not deceive me, do not conceal influence, I want to know what I am engaging with.’ As a regulatory authority, we cannot ignore this demand.”
Stating that the institution’s broadcasting approach is centred on protecting reason, the family and moral values, Daniş said:
“Digital platforms determine which content is seen through algorithms. This has made the question ‘Is what is visible truly real?’ more critical than ever.”
Daniş also stressed that digital media literacy is no longer merely an educational issue but has become a matter of national security, noting that they are moving beyond traditional oversight methods and utilising artificial intelligence to control content by adopting proactive policies aimed at preventing risks.
He added that RTÜK places importance on regional solidarity for the security of the digital ecosystem and is strengthening cooperation with countries in the region.
The solution lies in strengthening comprehensive media literacy
Prof Aydın argued that media and digital platforms have been increasingly misused in recent years, stating:
“Disinformation and misinformation may involve a margin of error; however, malicious information is entirely intentional, aims to cause harm, and generates hate speech.”
Highlighting that the misuse of media platforms has reached a highly dangerous level globally for children, families, societies and ultimately nations, Aydın said:
“According to the 2026 Global Terrorism Index report, 93 percent of terrorist acts are carried out by children aged between 14 and 17.”
Aydın said the solution lies not in banning these platforms, but in strengthening comprehensive media literacy through an education-centred approach spanning from families to schools and from governments to civil society organisations.
“Strategic communication must be not only reactive but also proactive”
Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ahmad Ismayilov, stated that the rapid development of digital communication technologies has transformed global public opinion into a multi-centred and dynamic system.
Noting that users are no longer merely consumers of information but also its producers and distributors, Ismayilov said that individuals now bear greater responsibility in this evolving landscape. He underlined that the algorithmic structure of digital platforms often amplifies emotional and sensational content, warning that “This undermines the formation of an objective, fact-based public opinion.”
Ismayilov emphasised that strategic communication is not limited to the transmission of information, but also involves contextualising it appropriately, presenting it with clear intent, and building public trust.
He added that, through the modern organisation of media and communication activities, the true intentions of actors conducting smear campaigns against Azerbaijan have been swiftly exposed, thereby strengthening societal resilience against negative information flows. He went on to say,
“Strategic communication must be not only reactive but also proactive. This means we should not limit ourselves to responding to existing challenges but also position ourselves as actors shaping the agenda. Within the framework of the Azerbaijan–Türkiye Joint Media Platform, relevant initiatives have been carried out to ensure coordinated and effective cooperation between the media sectors of the two countries, and these efforts are set to be further expanded in the coming period.”
“The battle for influence over public opinion is now managed through digital platforms”
Secretary General of Jordan’s Ministry of Government Communication Dr. Zaid Al Nawaiseh, stated that the digital sphere now directly affects all aspects of life, saying, “The battle for influence over public opinion is no longer managed solely through messages, but through the control of digital platforms through which these messages are disseminated.”
Highlighting the serious threat posed by the use of technical tools such as artificial intelligence in disinformation, Nawaiseh said, “Today, we are witnessing the use of AI tools in disinformation, which makes understanding and managing the nature of information dissemination a shared national and international responsibility. This necessitates the development of regulatory and ethical frameworks that strike a balance between freedom of expression and societal responsibility.”
Arguing the need to develop policies that reinforce the role of individuals and institutions in responsible content production, Nawaiseh stated, “Our Ministry is committed to building a society capable of making decisions and forming positions based on facts and knowledge. Strengthening a culture of positive engagement elevates the quality of public discourse and reinforces a responsible public opinion culture.”