Director of Communications Altun said: "The Century of Türkiye is the name of a fairer, safer, and more stable future not only for our country but also for all of humanity, especially for the countries and societies that have established a heartfelt connection with us."
Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun began his remarks at the award ceremony of the "TRT Future Communicators Competition" at the Arı Studio by congratulating the young people who participated in the competition, which was held for the ninth time this year and in which works were produced in 13 categories ranging from radio broadcasting to visual broadcasting and communication campaigns.
Director of Communications Altun congratulated the TRT team for continuing this success and providing young communicators with the chance to discover themselves, noting that TRT has become an international brand with a long history and a distinguished reputation in the field of public broadcasting, with radio broadcasting spanning nearly a century and television broadcasting spanning over half a century.
Director of Communications Altun described communication and media as one of the most significant fields of work in the world today, in line with both new technologies and new insights and practices, and stated:
"The ever-evolving means of communication, from newspapers and magazines to radio, television, and digital media, have been and continue to be at the centre of the sociopolitical, sociocultural, and socioeconomic changes that have characterised the last century. Communication and media have become so vital in today's world that those who are unaware of current issues in this field pay a high price and face serious challenges and problems. Societies that fail to recognise the potential of new approaches and technologies developed in the field of communication today experience even minor issues as deep crises. Countries that fail to effectively and comprehensively strategise their communication efforts and capitalise on the latest opportunities in this domain find themselves falling behind in the realms of politics, economy, culture, and art. Furthermore, many of our institutions and organisations in the field of communication and media, particularly TRT, have had an international impact in recent years, and we believe that this impact will be carried forward with you, which we are very happy and proud of."
"Source of truth"
Director of Communications Altun stated that Turkish TV series, which are watched with interest in many parts of the world, play an extremely important role in representing historical traditions, material and spiritual values on a global scale, and added that films and documentaries shot by Turkish directors have won awards from the most prestigious international competitions. Director of Communications Altun congratulated TRT World on the award, emphasising its significance in this regard.
Director of Communications Altun stated that, with the efforts of young people, Türkiye will become a global centre in every field of communication and media in the future, earning respect and appreciation as the "source of truth," and added:
"This year has a very symbolic and valuable meaning for our country. In less than a month, the Republic of Türkiye will leave its first century behind. We will celebrate our 100th anniversary with great zeal, and as a nation, we will take our first steps in unity and solidarity through the door of a brighter future. The name of our blessed future, which began its second century on October 29, 2023, and will be built with your help, is the Century of Türkiye. The Century of Türkiye is the name of a fairer, safer, and more stable future not only for our country but also for all of humanity, especially for the countries and societies that have established a heartfelt connection with us. Türkiye is a country with the most unique and authentic story and history in the world, with its history, cultural accumulation, art, and natural beauty. It is up to our young people like you, who run with passion to achieve their goals and thus never get tired, to carry these treasures into the Century of Türkiye.
Director of Communications Altun recalled President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's words that "The Century of Türkiye will be the Century of You, the Youth," and said, "The spirit that has been brewing in the hearts of our beloved nation for centuries and the meaning that has been infused in this spirit will bring brotherhood, peace, prosperity, and justice to the entire world with your efforts. We wholeheartedly believe this and have complete faith in you, our esteemed young people."
"Working diligently in the global struggle for truth..."
Noting that he expects young people, whom he referred to as the future communicators and broadcasters, to have this perspective, Altun said: "I would like you to know that our state will always stand with you on this path and that the courageous and resolute steps you take will always be backed by a solid base of support. We have no doubt that Türkiye's young people will build the Century of Türkiye in the best way possible with the opportunities they have and our faith in them."
Urging young people to keep their awareness and preparedness about the current situation in the world at the highest level, Altun said, "You will be reliable and capable representatives in the field of communication and media of Türkiye's historical role as a stabilising power in its region and, increasingly, the entire world."
Drawing attention to the challenges in today's reality and the current state of the world, Altun said:
"In an era characterised by uncertainty and crisis, one of the most significant challenges is combating the truth crisis, which is becoming increasingly radicalised due to the impact of new technologies and the emergence of new actors. Today, the whole world is dealing with a crisis of truth. Unfortunately, we are currently experiencing a severely degenerated communication environment due to the profit-driven acts of global media companies and the malicious and malevolent attacks of terrorist organisations and others with nefarious objectives. Digitalisation, which continues rapidly in every field, brings new challenges as well as opportunities in the field of communication and media. In cyberspace, reality, which is almost under a digital siege, is gradually losing its quality as a ground on which art, society, culture, and politics can build solid foundations and produce original and qualified works. This crisis, which has become a global problem, needs to be addressed on a global scale as global claimholders.
Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we, as the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, and all our institutions and organisations, particularly TRT and Anadolu Agency, which have responsibilities in the field of communication and media, are working diligently and tirelessly in the global struggle for truth. We counter disinformation attacks, perception management operations, and black propaganda activities with the most advanced means and tools, and we endeavour to represent Türkiye's rightful arguments, cultural background, growing potential, and capabilities in every field in the most presentable and accurate way all over the world."
Advice for young communicators
Describing the said endeavour as a long-term endeavour that can reach the desired level not only with public institutions but also with dynamic and assertive young people, Director of Communications Altun said, "While preparing news, film, or digital content, it is very important to be inspired and encouraged by the values of our country, to observe universal values and basic ethical rules in the field of communications and media, and instead of remaining silent against injustice, to hold the microphone to that very point. You can find this inspiration and courage in Türkiye's language of brotherhood, benevolence, and peace, which puts the whole of humanity at the centre, in the face of human tragedies in which the most developed countries of the world are silent and become partners in oppression or become the cause of it for their political interests."
Emphasising that the best example of this can be seen in President Erdoğan's efforts to develop a language of dialogue that set an example for the whole world during the Russia-Ukraine war, Altun concluded his speech by addressing the youth as follows:
"Talented communicators of the Century of Türkiye, I believe that you will produce works on the basis of an understanding that is on the side of truth, on the side of justice, and sees each individual of humanity as indispensable in the face of global inequalities. These works will be the guarantee of both our struggle for truth and our strong, prosperous, and successful future. As you continue to tell about the good and the beautiful, leave a pleasant echo in the hearts, and continue to produce, this endeavour will grow day by day and hopefully be crowned with victory."
Following the speeches of Director of Communications Altun and Director General of TRT Mehmet Zahid Sobacı, the winners of the competition were presented with their awards.
