Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun, in his congratulatory message on the occasion of January 10 Working Journalists' Day, said, "As we do today, we will continue to protect the rights and privileges of members of the press, to facilitate their professional lives, and to support them to carry out exemplary work all over the world."
Director of Communications Altun declared that the media is an essential component of democracy, informing the people with accurate, objective, and unbiased information, and said, "Only in a reliable media atmosphere will it be possible to relay accurate information to the public about the current country and world agenda, raise social consciousness, propose new solutions to existing problems and challenges, and represent the voiceless in public opinion. As a result, all journalists who operate in the light of truth and in accordance with professional ethics norms should be recognised as members of a highly esteemed profession."
Director of Communications Altun stated that while leaving behind the 100th anniversary of the Republic, members of the media played an important role in publicising the country's breakthroughs in many fields as well as its international achievements during this period, which has reached the Century of Türkiye under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Emphasising that the whole world feels the need to access the right information in its purest and simplest form in an environment where communication opportunities are improving day by day and access to information is becoming easier, Director of Communications Altun said that one of the most important problems of today's world is the "crisis of truth," and in this context, the relentless disinformation campaigns have become a major challenge.
In his message, Director of Communications Altun noted:
"Within this context, we regard journalists who are dedicated to conveying the truth, who uphold journalistic and ethical principles, and whose perseverance in their work as fundamental pillars. Moreover, we regard the preservation of an impartial media culture both domestically and globally as an essential component contributing to a more prosperous and harmonious global community.
Unfortunately, the events in Gaza since October 7 reveal that journalists, who perform a critical task for humanity, are deprived of their right to life, let alone their right to freedom of the press and information. I regret to say that more than 100 journalists have lost their lives, and many others have been injured in Israel's attacks on Gaza. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Allah's mercy to all journalists who lost their lives in the line of their profession, especially in Gaza.
As the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, we will continue to protect the rights and privileges of members of the press, facilitate their professional lives, and support them to carry out exemplary work all over the world, just as we do today. With these feelings and thoughts, I congratulate all journalists and members of the press who work day and night with great devotion, who strive to fulfil their profession with the motto of truth, and who are committed to accuracy, justice and objectivity on the occasion of January 10 Working Journalists' Day and wish them all success in their work."