Director of Communications Altun said: "Our Centre for Combating Disinformation plays a critical role in addressing disinformation and misinformation campaigns during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We work to impede information wars from becoming a new front in this conflict."
Presidency's Director of Communications Altun addressed the 51st Association of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) Conference, hosted by Anadolu Agency.
Stressing that the meeting offered an opportunity to discuss issues related to information, disinformation, and information warfare in light of recent developments in our region, Director of Communications Altun stated, "In an era characterised by uncertainties and tensions, the role of journalists and media organisations is extremely important. Their responsibility extends beyond mere reporting; they serve as guardians against the dangerous disinformation campaigns launched by various factions."
Highlighting that the issue of disinformation becomes especially evident during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as recent conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine, Director of Communications Altun said, "We have seen that in the absence of responsible news reporting, disinformation could make current crises worse, endangering human lives and societal order. However, let us be clear—safeguarding the truth is not solely the responsibility of our colleagues in the news industry. Each of us, as consumers of information, especially in this digital age, in this global village, must exercise vigilance and caution."
Pointing out that misinformation and disinformation campaigns harbour sinister aims to manipulate public sentiment, Director of Communications Altun remarked that in this age, where information spreads at lightning speed, each one of us plays a role.
Stating that each person can either serve as a channel for truth or become a vessel for lies, for falsehoods, Director of Communications Altun said, "Our collective aspiration should be a society grounded in truth. Every unchecked piece of disinformation, every baseless rumour shared, destroys the foundation of truth. To remain insensitive in the face of misinformation is to betray the trust of our fellow citizens. As the Directorate of Communications, our mission is very much clear. Our position on the fight for truth is self-evident. We are committed to enhancing the media literacy of the Turkish people through different initiatives."
Director of Communications Altun stated that they firmly believe that the citizens are not passive consumers of truth but the very actors that can halt the advance of disinformation, adding that they are also in constant communication with news producers, both in conventional and social media, to support their search for accurate information.
Directorate of Communications Altun stated that they have established the Centre for Combating Disinformation within the Directorate to that end, adding, "The Centre's primary goal is to prevent the spread of inaccurate information and serve as a fact-checking resource for uncertain claims."
First casualties of wars and conflicts: truth
Underlining that the first casualties of wars and conflicts are the truth, Director of Communications Altun said that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict demonstrated how critical the fight against disinformation is on an international scale.
Director of Communications Altun noted:
"In this latest conflict in Gaza, initial data reveals that 74 per cent of verified Twitter accounts spread misinformation during the early days of the conflict. A similar trend was observed during the early days of the war in Ukraine. This pattern may continue to demonstrate itself in future conflicts in different parts of the world. During the conflict in Gaza, our Centre now plays a critical role in addressing disinformation and misinformation campaigns. We work to impede information wars from becoming a new front in this conflict. The work conducted by our Directorate is highly noble and valuable."
Director of Communications Altun stated that if there is hope for de-escalation and the eventual end of hostilities, it lies in those who combat disinformation and misinformation.
Director of Communications Altun noted that the situation on the ground is already complex and stated, "Our goal is to prevent the situation from becoming even more complex. We work to impede information wars from becoming a new front in this conflict."
Director of Communications Altun urged vigilance regarding hegemonic perceptions and discourses on issues such as Palestine, stating, "Powerful media organisations often skilfully attempt to define the parameters of debates, and the frameworks they create significantly influence how millions around the world perceive critical issues."
"The need to fight disinformation through international effort is especially pressing in times of crisis"
Director of Communications Altun added, "We must question who shapes the language of the conflict," highlighting the necessity of questioning whose rhetoric is adopted and why. This is crucial if we are truly fighting for truth."
Cautioning against underestimating the impact of our words and concepts in the realm of news, Director of Communications Altun stated, "This matters not only for shaping public opinion but also for influencing the actual course of events on the ground."
Emphasising the significance of the truth even when perceptions and stereotypes are imposed, Director of Communications Altun noted that both news professionals and civil society must combat disinformation campaigns while recognising the hegemonic discourse from which they originate.
Calling on fellow media organisations as well as civil society entities, Director of Communications said, "Let us combine our efforts, taking into consideration both the production and consumption of news."
Director of Communications Altun, arguing that combatting disinformation and stereotypes requires a collective and cohesive strategy, underlined how the need to fight disinformation through international effort is especially pressing in times of crisis.
"Together, we must champion the cause of truth"
Director of Communications Altun remarked that the battle against disinformation is not one that any single entity can win alone but rather one that calls for a shared effort and a common responsibility.
"Together, we must champion the cause of truth and stand resolute against systematic disinformation campaigns," said Director of Communications Altun, highlighting the central role that news agencies play in addressing disinformation and hegemonic discourses. Director of Communications Altun noted that Anadolu Agency's contributions to the fight for the truth are extremely valuable.
In conclusion, Director of Communications Altun called for all news professionals to work together in these trying times in order to provide accurate information, fight against hegemonic discourses, and collectively institutionalise the struggle for truth against fiction and fake news.
