Director of Communications Altun: "With the initiatives, arrangements and infrastructure investments made in the last 20 years under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we can easily say that we have achieved the work of 100 years in only 20 years in the field of communication as well."
Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun spoke at the International Media Information Association’s (UMED) International Media Academy Certificate Programme held at the Directorate of Communications’ Conference Hall.
Congratulating UMED and its executives for implementing the academy programme, Director of Communications Altun said, "I would like to thank the representatives of the sector and academy who contributed to the Media Academy. Each opportunity and environment that helps young communicators increase their professional knowledge and skills is immensely valuable. As the Directorate of Communications, we are committed to supporting such projects and programmes at all times, as we have done so far, and will continue to do so in the future.
Director of Communications Altun stated that, due to technological advancements, there has been a significant transformation in the field of conventional and digital media, and that it is now crucially important to not only keep up with developments in the field of communication, but also to manage them from a content and technological standpoint.
"The fight against disinformation and lies in politics and the media is one of the most pressing concerns today"
Pointing out that intentional and systematic disinformation and lie campaigns are also encountered, Director of Communications Altun went on to say:
"Today, one of the most pressing concerns confronting our country and the world is the struggle against disinformation and lies in politics and the media. The existence of media members who uphold professional, moral, legal, democratic, and social values is extremely significant in this struggle. In this regard, I would like to reiterate my thanks to the members of the media who adhere to the True and the truth. I believe it is extremely important for our future that young communicators and media professionals are equipped with these principles."
Director of Communications Altun stated that media institutions and members were among those addressed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's call for "communications mobilisation," adding, "We are all probably aware that the attrition warfare against our country is waged through conventional and digital media outlets as well. The effort that each of us will exert in the name of this struggle is critical to our country and people."
“Perhaps digitalisation brought about advancements mostly in the communications field.”
Director of Communications Altun indicated that the rapid development of communication technologies has led in numerous advancements ranging from social relations to access to news, and said:
"Most technologies and communication systems that have been in use for hundreds of years have likely lost significant value in the previous 30 years. Perhaps digitalisation brought about advancements mostly in the communications field and integrated advancements into our daily life. With the initiatives, arrangements and infrastructure investments made in the last 20 years under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we can easily say, ‘We have achieved the work of 100 years in only 20 years’ in the field of communication as well. Throughout this process, our President's visionary leadership propelled our country to the forefront of communications technologies. Türkiye has built a reputation for itself in the globe through significant investments in information and communications technology. Our country stands out in this regard since everyone has access to technological advancements. If we can talk about raising a new generation of communicators today, investments made in communication infrastructure under the leadership of our President play a significant role in it. As of 2021, the size of our information and communication technology sector has risen to 266 billion Liras during this period. While overall employment in the sector reached 185 thousand, exports in the information and communication technologies sector reached $2 billion."
Emphasising that they continue to strengthen their communication infrastructure day by day, Director of Communications Altun said that the Türksat 5B satellite, which was sent into space with President Erdoğan's vision, would also be put into service today.
"While rebuilding and developing our country's infrastructure in every field, we confront various challenges, attacks, and obstacles," Director of Communications Altun stated, noting that the number of campaigns against Türkiye on digital platforms increased day by day as Türkiye emerged as a rising power. Stating that this circumstance can be regarded as a negative effect of digitalisation, Director of Communications Altun said:
"With the concept of informationalism, Manuel Castells, author of the major work called The Rise of the Network Society, details the international communication order we are facing. Inequality, injustice, poverty, polarisation, and social exclusion, according to Castells, have all become an inseparable part of today's international reality as a result of informationalism. On the one hand, there are the privileged elites, and on the other hand, there are those who are excluded from the global network society whose impacts we are witnessing. From this perspective, we can discuss the presence of a global order of exploitation. Precisely, we can say that the Western colonial order, which was formed 200 years ago, discovered a new area in the information field and produced itself within it. We are opposed to all forms of exploitation in the global arena, as well as the system of inequality, injustice, and exploitation in the information field. Our new generation of communicators has crucial responsibilities in the fight against global injustice in the field of information. Your efforts will earn you a respectable place in the profession, contribute to the brand value of our country, and make a significant contribution to the elimination of the unfair information system in the international arena by understanding the importance of the line between right and wrong, truth and lie."
The Law on Fighting Against Disinformation
Pointing out that as the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, they are combating disinformation against Türkiye, Director of Communications Altun noted:
"We are fighting against social media channels that put themselves above politics and set up a massive system to enslave people's and society's will. We also establish legal arrangements for the media and segments that want to defame the Türkiye brand image and reputation. We continue to draft legislation in response to the sector's expectations and needs. In all democracies, disrupting public order with fake news and disinformation, as well as undermining personal rights, is unquestionably a crime that is prosecuted. Our Parliament is presently debating a bill developed in this direction. We believe that this legal regulation will enhance the foundations of democracy, press freedom, and personal rights by disturbing the comfort of those who spread disinformation and fake news about Türkiye. We believe that the upcoming regulations will result in a more liberal press and a media climate that better protects freedom of expression and personal rights."
Director of Communications Altun emphasized the intention to strengthen the "Türkiye Communication Model, developed by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, with young communicators and communicators of the next generation, and said “We are building our communication model on a broad foundation, from public relations to public diplomacy, combating disinformation to crisis management from the perspective of public interest.”
Following his remarks, Director of Communications Altun, along with President of UMED Aslan Değirmenci, awarded certificates to those who completed the International Media Academy.
