During his speech at the event held at the Mecidiye Pavilion on the margins of the 12th Session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers of the OIC, Presidency's Director Communications Fahrettin Altun said, "Traditional and social media operate as factories for disinformation production and dissemination. In the end, unfortunately, Muslims face many dangers, from terrorist attacks to violations of rights."
Director of Communications Altun opened his speech by wishing that the conference in which they would strengthen their cooperation in the media and information fields under the organisation's umbrella would be auspicious.
Director of Communications Altun noted that this year's theme was "Combating Disinformation and Islamophobia in the Post-Truth Era," adding that under this theme, they seek to draw attention to facts that they believe pose a threat not only to their own society but to humanity as a whole, as they observe that lies, disinformation, and distortion are increasingly being used to replace reality and truth throughout the world.
Director of Communications Altun stated that systematic disinformation poses grave dangers in every aspect, from individuals to societies, national security to global stability, and added:
"The transformation and development of communication technologies, despite their many positive aspects, regrettably leads to the proliferation of malicious acts. Currently, it is extremely crucial for individuals to enhance their consciousness and responsibility, as well as to raise their awareness regarding the consumption of media and digital media. On the other hand, it is crucial for each state to adopt different measures to defend the rights and freedoms and national security of its citizens, as well as to adopt regulations in this respect. However, since we are also facing a global threat, it is equally important for us and Islamic countries to cooperate in the fight against disinformation and bolster our cooperation in the global arena.
"Islamophobia is one of the greatest threats to the Islamic world and the entire world today"
Director of Communications Altun stated that they observed a significant increase in discrimination, hatred and hostility towards Islam and Muslims worldwide, particularly in Western nations, and added:
"Islamophobia is undeniably one of the greatest threats to the Islamic world and the entire world today. Again, unfortunately, we see that Islamophobia is fuelled by populist discourses to cover up real political, economic, and social problems, particularly in the Western world. In this process, traditional and social media operate as factories for disinformation production and dissemination. In the end, unfortunately, Muslims face many dangers, from terrorist attacks to violations of rights."
Director of Communications Altun said that President Erdoğan emphasises on all occasions that Islamophobia poses a threat to global stability and is a crime against humanity.
Stressing that President Erdoğan made a call to declare March 15, the date of the terrorist attack against Muslims in New Zealand in 2019, as the "International Day to Combat Islamophobia," Altun remarked that with this call, March 15 was designated as International Day to Combat Islamophobia, with decisions made first by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and then by the United Nations General Assembly.
"We must engage in joint initiatives that will be the voice of the truth"
Stating that they should implement the mechanisms to be operated globally in the fight against Islamophobia under the umbrella of the organisation, Director of Communications Altun said, "We are vigorously fighting against Islamophobia through the content and publications of our institutions such as Anadolu Agency and TRT, which our Presidency's Directorate of Communications coordinates in Türkiye, and we are striving to build a robust capacity at this point."
Director of Communications Altun addressed the officials of the member states of the organisation attending the meeting, saying:
"Based on their experiences, our countries should form strong collaborative efforts to combat disinformation and Islamophobia. We have to do this together; we have to make it happen. At this point, I think this meeting is extremely vital. Contrary to the negative attitudes and lines we encounter in the traditional and new media in the world today; we must, of course, engage in joint initiatives that will be the voice of the truth in these media. We must continue to fight in this area; we must never stop fighting. Currently, I have no doubt that we will make the most of the roles we can play as the Islamic countries and the organisation. As Türkiye, we will continue to fulfil our obligations with all relevant institutions and organisations."
Noting that Türkiye will assume the Chairmanship of the 12th Session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers of the OIC the following day, Director of Communications Altun stated, "Allah willing, we will strive to ensure the necessary cooperation and common attitude in the field of information and to strengthen coordination."
