Presidency’s Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun, in his speech at the opening ceremony of the International Strategic Communications Summit (Stratcom Summit’ 21) organised by the Directorate of Communications at the Haliç Congress Centre, said, “Social media companies must abide by the legal frameworks established not only in the countries where their headquarters are located, but also in all countries where they operate, and they must account for and refrain from actions and attitudes that are harmful to the public conscience. Only then will they be able to become legitimate actors in the new global environment we are in.”
Director of Communications Altun stated that one of the most important responsibilities in the cyber world shaped by new communication tools falls on social media companies and that voices should be raised against the cultural destruction caused by systematic disinformation campaigns and manipulative content by companies operating globally.
Director of Communications Altun stated that these platforms were places where strong voices could be raised against the cultural destruction that was manifesting itself on a global scale and that they considered Stratcom as an important channel in this direction, and said, “Unfortunately, these companies take advantage of a self-proclaimed immunity shield. Despite all the calls made on the issue, we are all aware that these companies do not demonstrate the required transparency, do not care about the principle of accountability, and reveal themselves to us as interest-based actors. Despite this fact, the situation in which they see themselves as an arbitrator above all democratic institutions and players is unacceptable.”
Stating that the turmoil in some countries in recent years has begun to reveal the effects of social media platforms that disseminate conspiracy theories, highlight fake news, polarise society and lead to radicalisation, Director of Communications Altun added:
“Hate speech and discourse, which they allowed to spread freely, has now proven to be extremely effective in the commission of hate crimes in different countries. These platforms have appeared as accomplices in many street movements, violence and lynching campaigns directed at innocent individuals in recent years. On the other hand, the ability of social media platforms to create artificial agendas through algorithms determined by them poses a threat to democratic politics, negotiation culture, and public space. Moreover, the fact that these companies acquire data in an arbitrary and irresponsible manner and do not display the required transparency about how personal information is used raises concerns. As you know, the Brexit referendum and the 2016 US elections were the events where these social media companies’ involvement in democratic politics were discussed and criticised in the most concrete way on a global scale. In this respect, since then, perhaps when the coronavirus pandemic first showed itself globally, this critical approach has been replaced by a more hopeful perspective.”
Explaining that during the global pandemic, while these social media platforms were perceived as the centre of healthy and reliable information all over the world, the social media companies could not meet this demand, Director of Communications Altun said that the content threatening public health, manipulative news and conspiracy theories that drive people into panic circulate freely on these platforms without any regulation, posing a threat to the public health and public order.
Stating that the companies in question did not take the required steps to remedy these serious issues, Director of Communications Altun said that the worst part was that they were not held accountable for their irresponsible behaviour.
Director of Communications Altun stated that even the states that have stood behind these social media platforms and perceived any intervention on these platforms as a blow to freedom were now voicing the need to regulate these platforms, and added:
“It seems that in the coming period, there will be a sharp distinction between social media companies that are willing to take the responsibility to get out of this digital chaos and anarchy and the ones that will continue to retain their irresponsible attitudes. Social media companies must abide by the legal frameworks established not only in the countries where their headquarters are located but also in all countries where they operate, and they must account for and refrain from actions and attitudes that are harmful to the public conscience. Only then will they be able to become legitimate actors in the new global environment we are in. We need public regulations, but more than that, we need social media companies to act in accordance with the principle of transparency and accountability.”
“Social media literacy is an important tool against the risks posed by media tools”
Pointing out that in this new era of communication, the general public, who is the primary target of mass communication, has crucial responsibilities as well, Director of Communications Altun said:
“Strengthening public opinion is strengthening democracy. In the process of strengthening public opinion, the existence of conscious social media producers and users is highly vital. I’m not talking about users who simply consume content created in cyberspace passively. At the same time, conscious citizens who consume the information presented to them with a critical mind are both the guarantee of the truth and the mortal enemy of the lie industry. Users who have been bombarded with a massive amount of content, particularly with the rise of new media, must now engage in a more conscious consuming process at this point. This is a must for all democracies of the world. At this point, one of the factors that can give the most beneficial support to the process is social media literacy. Social media literacy is an important tool for being able to use different forms of social media effectively and for raising awareness about the risks that these media tools pose.”
Explaining that the issue was not only about consuming but that every individual should act responsibly while producing content in cyberspace, Director of Communications Altun said, “Finding the truth and following it is one of the main responsibilities and civic duties of a civilised individual. It is extremely vital that users develop a more careful approach to news, messages and comments posted on these new social media platforms. It is vital for social peace, for the healthy functioning of democracies.”
Stating that the government was doing its part in this regard and working to make the new generations more conscious about social media literacy, Director of Communications Altun said that as the Directorate of Communications, they provide education and produce educational materials on this issue as well.
Director of Communications Altun stated that universities also have crucial responsibilities and added:
“Universities should include social media literacy to their curriculum in all fields of social sciences and guide our young minds in developing a critical approach to information. Because social media can turn into a platform that affects not only daily life but also universities’ education and research activities and can occasionally mislead them. It is possible to prevent this and raise awareness in this regard by spreading this in universities in their own habitats. We believe that our non-governmental organisations should exert the necessary effort to make social media literacy a mobilised campaign. In this cyber-anarchic environment, all of our institutions and organisations have their share of crucial responsibilities to protect the digital sovereignty of our country."
Stating that making effective use of this mobilisation was among the responsibilities of the society, Director of Communications Altun emphasised that safeguarding the truth is the most vital instrument for ensuring justice, peace, and tranquillity in a society.
“As Türkiye, we are ready to do our part in the new cyber security architecture to be created”
Underlining that in a society where the public is on the side of the truth, the operations of the cyber world will also be futile, Director of Communications Altun said, “In an environment where populist demagogues divide societies, and foreign states turn social media into a field of operation, there is no doubt that it is necessary to fight for accurate and reliable information. It should be seen as the duty of each individual to preserve the social fabric effectively and take precautions against threats that may arise through these channels, especially cyberbullying.”
Touching upon the role of international organisations in ensuring communication security and healthy data flow in the new era, Director of Communications Altun said:
“One of the dimensions of the discussions on reforming these organisations today has to be the problems and questions regarding the cyber world. Until recently, new communication tools directed by transnational corporations have been attempted to be actively employed in state-to-state conflicts. At this juncture, all international organisations must assume responsibility for averting the emergence of information wars and avoiding harm to the cyber world. Through their provocative and mobilising nature, information wars can pave the way for actual wars. Thus far, these wars have stimulated extreme nationalist practices and provided fertile ground for opportunistic and radical ideologies on multiple occasions. Thus, states must take joint action against piracy, criminal groups, and all forms of sabotage and espionage activities in the digital realm. The reason states have not been successful in this sphere on their own thus far is that digital piracy and crimes are transnational in nature. One facet of the messages we have been communicating about reforming the international system in recent years through the international media is related to the establishment of a joint mechanism by states. The elimination of the inequality that societies and countries are currently subjected to in the cyber world, as well as the political engineering efforts made by transnational corporations and the security crisis generated by the cyber world, through collaborative efforts of countries, constitutes one of the critical dimensions of our President's "A fairer world" principle. Just as the world is bigger than five, our cyber world is bigger than several social media barons. Türkiye is prepared to contribute to the establishment of this new cyber security structure."
Underscoring that communication in the new era being a shared benefit to humanity and the main engine of development was contingent on everyone's joint efforts and work, Director of Communications Altun said:
"Rather than demonising new communication channels due to the problems they create, we should work collaboratively to make them more useful and practical. It is critical for society, transnational platforms, and international organisations to support the state's efforts in this area. Together, we will both liberate the Internet and contribute to the health of our democracies by taking action against those who wish to use these platforms for insidious, selfish, and aggressive ends. Türkiye is prepared for this new era and is doing its share, which it will continue to do. We wish to engage societies, international organisations, and other governments in this process. Our world, our cyberspace, and the truth will ultimately prevail."
Director of Communications Altun stated that the concept of "Post-Truth," which has been around for the past decade, has gained more popularity than ever before, while new media and information technologies come to the fore with their negative characteristics rather than their positive ones.
Emphasising that new media and new information technologies can democratise access to information when utilised in the pursuit of truth, Director of Communications Altun said that a significant part of the world's population developed an addiction to new media tools as a result of the allure of innovation.
Director of Communications Altun said that while everyday life standardised cultures on a global scale, successful attempts to establish legitimate and functioning legal frameworks to regulate new media and information technologies on a global scale have not been realised, then he added:
"The international system crises and the lack of order that have accompanied the technological transformation process delayed and continue to delay the development of a universal legal framework based on human rights and freedoms in the face of new media technologies. Naturally, when global media and communication companies' endless desires and profit motives are included in this process, anarchy and chaos emerge, which are difficult to deal with in the international arena. In this anarchic atmosphere, the states that host these global media and communication companies have yielded to the emergence of a new status quo; rather than acting as a mediator on behalf of the public, they have become absorbed by the new eco-system. These states have remained silent in the face of global media and communication companies' hegemony. On the other hand, certain states that asserted their right to intervene in this anarchic and chaotic process have begun to employ the same instruments for social control and political censorship. It should be loud and clear; both approaches threaten democratic systems as well as social, cultural, and political diversity."
Altun underlined that both approaches pose significant risks to the public interest, and he added that countries that profit economically from the corrupt communication regime are also victims of the same regime's political provocations and manipulations.
Emphasising the erosion of trust in democratic institutions and processes among the public opinion of these countries, Director of Communications Altun said that these countries were also familiar with the new communication system's destabilising effects from a social, political, and cultural standpoint.
“They are now confronted with the ramifications of the cat and mouse game they play with new technologies”
Director of Communications Altun remarked that they witnessed heads of state of some countries being censored by these new platforms when the day came, despite years of blaming others for “internet censorship” and similar other offences, and he added, “The countries that try to build a ‘society of control’ using new media and these information technologies are now confronted with the ramifications of the cat and mouse game they play with these new technologies. While they cut off communication between their societies and the rest of the world, they facilitated the rise of silent polarization within their borders. In both cases, a new state has emerged that poses a danger to administrative systems and even puts domestic peace in their countries at risk. The two methods that have been used for the last 20 years have produced contradictory results and undesirable developments. Both have paved the way for a surge in cyber anarchy in the international system and information warfare that are becoming more aggressive and uncontrolled by the day.”
Expressing that states started to build cyber armies while various communication crises emerged in socio-political domains with a focus on disinformation, discrimination, alienation and hatred, Director of Communications Altun said, “We are at a critical threshold today, and on this critical threshold, our country and many others are suffering from this global chaotic communication environment and are striving to bring an end to this.”
There is a need for a strategic cyber narrative and order
Director of Communications Altun emphasized the need for a new cyber narrative and order strategically and continued:
“This is an order through which states will protect their cyber sovereignty and secure the individual rights remedies of their citizens. An order that will bring an end to the actions of cyber pirates that terrorize the world as if they were the owners of derelict seas. An order that will prevent the political engineering activities run by foreign states, sub-state actors and terrorist organizations using cyber channels and new communication technologies. An order that provides diverse channels to access the internet while social media companies can be audited and held accountable based on the principle of accountability. An order where everyone has equal access to the benefits of the cyber world and new communication technologies, and one that can put an end to cyber imperialism, cyber fascism, and the prototypic, oppressive, and discriminatory language. Yes, we need such an order. It is difficult, but not impossible. Undoubtedly, all of us have a responsibility to make it happen. The state, the society, media companies, international organizations and all of us should take on responsibility.”
Pointing out that cyber security became one of the most important national security issues, Director of Communications Altun said, “Non-governmental organizations, universities, research centres and private sector businesses are now targets of cyber-attacks in addition to government agencies. It is the responsibility of states to protect society and its constituents from the growing risks and threats of the cyber world. The state of the Republic of Türkiye is well aware of its duty and responsibility. First and foremost, we consider both the new means of communication and the facilities provided by the cyber world as an advantage for our society. We advocate that these means can be used freely and equally by our society without an external impact or being exposed to systematic disinformation policies.”
“We are preparing a new legal framework”
Explaining the importance of cyber justice, Director of Communications Altun said:
“Equal access to the cyber world by different segments of society, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis, has emerged as a key factor in the fight against this crisis. As a state, we consider it one of our top priorities to ensure that all segments of society have equal access to cyber world. This is the reason we say, ‘cyber justice is also important for social peace and harmony.’ We need more safety and freedom in the cyber world. Preventing attacks on people’s personal rights on social media platforms is one of our state’s responsibilities. We are concerned about the safety of our citizens’ lives and property, just as we are about any potential attacks on their cyber identities, personalities, and rights. In this regard, we are preparing a new legal framework upon the instruction of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Our goal is to protect our citizens from arbitrary attitudes and bans imposed by some foreign state institutions, as well as disinformation and manipulation operations carried out by non-state actors on the cyber plane.”
“In today’s world, where information wars are intensifying, we must take steps to protect national security and cyber sovereignty”
Noting that the phrase “We need more safety and freedom in the cyber world” meant that personal data, corporate data, and individual rights would be protected, Director of Communications Altun said:
“I’m referring to a cyber world that has been cleansed of the influence of terrorist organisations and organised crime networks that are attempting to exploit the opportunities provided by new communication technologies for their own ends and using new media platforms for their own propaganda. I’m referring to a cyber world free of information pollution and the systematic politics of lies, which are opposed to the right information, the most basic need of citizens and individuals to make decisions. I’m referring to a virtual environment where fake content that poisons social relations and is produced for ideological or denominational interests is not regarded as legitimate and functional. I’m referring to a digital world where social media companies cannot arbitrarily manipulate people for commercial or political reasons. Only in such cyberspace, in such a virtual environment, can we speak of freedom. In today’s world, where information wars are intensifying, we must take steps to protect national security and cyber sovereignty. At this point, we are continuing to work diligently with all our relevant institutions, particularly our Directorate of Communications.”
Director of Communications Altun stated that their fight against information operations, also known as political warfare, targeting countries’ social peace, economic stability, and state-society relations through the use of new communication technologies continues unabated and that they do so while adhering to public interests and public law, and added that, in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s vision, the Directorate of Communications continues to work in coordination with the relevant state institutions, both to direct the country’s public diplomacy activities, combat systematic disinformation activities, and shape the state’s strategic communication roadmap.
