Director of Communications Altun: "We must keep in mind that unconfirmed information has a poisoning effect on the disaster and crisis environment. Unfortunately, we have observed that sensitivities that develop as a result of a painful event, such as an earthquake, can be exploited. We have witnessed attempts of disinformation and black propaganda along with this exploitation."
Presidency’s Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun attended the "We Hear Your Voice: Panel on Journalism in Times of Disaster and Crisis" hosted by the Directorate of Communications.
Addressing the panel, Director of Communications Altun expressed his condolences for those who lost their lives in the February 6 earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaraş, saying, "I express my sympathies and condolences to our nation and country.”
Director of Communications Altun stated that the state immediately mobilized all available resources in response to these disasters and said, "Under the leadership of our President, all of our institutions, from search and rescue to humanitarian aid, have been present in the earthquake zone. Our nation has literally demonstrated the solidarity of the century in response to the disaster of the century, and our nation and state rushed to the earthquake zone to assist our brothers and sisters. The exemplary struggle we have waged with the state and the people to heal the wounds continues unabated."
Director of Communications Altun emphasized that they are working hard to meet the needs of the citizens and compensate for financial losses, particularly the destroyed and damaged houses in the earthquake zone and that the houses, whose foundations have been laid, will be completed within a year, as stated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Director of Communications Altun stated that the provinces and districts in the earthquake zone would have a brand new look with their infrastructure and superstructure, as well as sturdy and durable houses and that they will continue to work to raise earthquake awareness across the country and to accelerate urban transformation efforts.
"We also had to fight against lies"
Underlining that in the event of a disaster, informing the public quickly, accurately and transparently is as vital as emergency response and effective aid organization, Director of Communications Altun continued as follows:
"Fighting disinformation and systematic fake news is also essential during this process. This has been amply demonstrated by the recent earthquakes. Unfortunately, we have observed that sensitivities that develop as a result of a painful event, such as an earthquake, can be exploited. We have witnessed attempts at disinformation and black propaganda along with this exploitation. We have even seen unverified posts disrupt search and rescue operations and cost human lives. In addition to the search and rescue and humanitarian aid efforts in the region, we also had to fight against lies."
Director of Communications Altun stated that the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications works in coordination with all relevant institutions and organizations to share the facts, combat disinformation, and ensure accurate information and data flow.
Emphasizing that they ensured the public's access to reliable information in the face of information pollution and deliberate disinformation attempts in the disaster environment, Director of Communications Altun said:
“We coordinated the arrival of hundreds of our journalists in the quake-hit area, who were tasked with informing the public. We have made considerable efforts to facilitate the work of the press in the region and to suit their needs. In addition to the 400 international press members who reside in Türkiye, we endeavoured to help the 1,400 international press members who visited the region conduct their professional duties properly. We have established secure work spaces and mobile press centres for the national and international members of the press. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every member of the press that works selflessly round the clock in the quake-hit region. There were even those who continued to work despite the loss of family members in the earthquake. Some of them are with us now. I would like to take this chance to once again offer my condolences and thank them."
Director of Communications Altun underlined that in the early hours after the February 6 earthquake, the Presidency’s Communication Centre (CIMER) launched the "Earthquake Emergency" heading. Director of Communications Altun stated that this communication channel is heavily accessed and that a large number of earthquake survivors’ problems have been resolved through this channel.
“The media should act with the responsibility of a ‘solution partner’”
Director of Communications Altun emphasised the launch of the "Disinformation Reporting Service" mobile application by stating, "We have released a daily Disinformation Bulletin with the headline 'Earthquake' as part of the efficient struggle to counter misleading information during the disaster. Furthermore, we have established a mechanism of coordination and information exchange with our foreign office, relevant units, and international press organisations. We continue to work on the earthquake agenda with caution."
Director of Communications Altun underlined that journalism necessitates a certain form of caution in times of disaster and crisis, and went on to say,
“In such situations, the media should act with the responsibility of a ‘solution partner.’ First, we must keep in mind that unverified information poisons the environment of disaster and crisis. Because spreading misinformation intentionally or unintentionally can cost lives. Likewise, reliable information can save lives. No unverified information should ever be disseminated in order to avoid dire consequences."
Stressing that when reporting in disaster-stricken areas, actions that could impede rescue operations were also observed, Director of Communications Altun said, “It is crucial to note that nothing is more precious than human life. It is inappropriate to deliver the news of an extraordinary occurrence in a way that would incite panic, unease, outrage, and terror.”
Director of Communications Altun emphasised that it must be remembered that people in the region who were photographed and handed microphones suffer from trauma due to disasters such as earthquakes, fires, and floods, and invited media institutions to cooperate in order to define disaster journalism as a professional field and to strengthen the infrastructure within this line of work.
“The actors who participate in the crisis communication process must be well-trained”
Director of Communications Altun stressed that the actors who participate in the crisis communication process must be well-trained due to the qualitative transformation of the crises encountered, adding:
"It is of the utmost importance that media organisations, professional associations, universities, and public institutions improve their crisis communication management capabilities and form cooperative relationships throughout this process. The primary objective of today's panel is to increase the crisis communication management capabilities of those who pursue their professional endeavours or are aspiring candidates, particularly in media, and to support them in this direction."
Director of Communications Altun also addressed his young colleagues
Director of Communications Altun addressed the youth in his speech and underlined that access to information has become simpler for everyone nowadays, adding:
"You can gain access to information, make better use of that information, and as a result, you can succeed in your profession. In certain professions, however, the outcome is frequently unsatisfactory if the task is based entirely on the information. In fact, the work performed may possibly have the opposite effect. Certainly, journalism is one of these professions. If you want to be successful in your profession and an actor in combating the challenges facing our country through communication channels, you shouldn't just rely on academic knowledge, but also on the guidance of experienced and skilled professionals who adhere to the truth.”
The "Insights from the Newsroom" project has been completed
Director of Communications Altun stated that the "Insights from the Newsroom" project was completed under the coordination of the Directorate of Communications and with contributions from students of the Faculty of Communication at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, noting that the project's objective was to develop a resource in which experts from the fields of "Disaster-Crisis," "War," "Health," "Court-Police," "Diplomacy," and "Economic" reporting shared their experiences through recordings.
Director of Communications Altun emphasised that the project was undertaken in accordance with President Erdoğan's call for "communication mobilisation", stating, "All of these steps, we believe, will make the Century of Türkiye also the Century of Communication. As the Directorate, we will continue to support the steps and efforts that will contribute to the fulfilment of this vision."