Director of Communications Altun: We believe it is problematic for objective journalism that some global media outlets act with ideological bias in order to create a negative perception of Türkiye and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Presidency’s Director of Communication Fahrettin Altun said, “We are confronted with numerous attempts to hinder our progress as we take sovereign actions in many sectors, from the economy to the defence industry,” during his remarks at the certificate ceremony held at the Conference Hall of Istanbul Regional Directorate of the Directorate of Communications. The ceremony took place following the completion of the Turkish Language Course for international media members, which was offered in cooperation between the Directorate of Communications and the Yunus Emre Institute.
Altun congratulated the successful course participants and expressed his belief that the Turkish language course they took will considerably help their careers and social life in Türkiye.
Stating that learning a new language is far more critical when it comes to the profession of journalism and that it has become an integral part of journalism over time, Altun said, “It is a must for journalists to know the language of the country where they work. Following the agenda of the country to which they are assigned in that country’s native language strengthens the foreign media member, increasing the credibility of the news reports, commentary, and visual content they produce. This advantage will not only provide a privileged position for them professionally but will also help them secure significant achievements in their social lives.”
Altun added that they valued the fact that the international media members in the country could speak Turkish and follow the developments in Türkiye in Turkish, and he said, “The world media and international journalists are extremely interested in our country, which is becoming increasingly active both regionally and worldwide. We are very pleased to see such interest. We place a premium on Istanbul being a more serious centre of attraction for the international media day by day. We do support and will continue to support international media members who do not stray from the truth while reporting the developments about Türkiye and the region to the world public.”
“Journalists are people who have dedicated their lives to helping us understand the world”
Altun stated that real journalists could be described as “people who dedicate their lives to helping us understand the world”.
Altun went on to say that in order to perform journalism properly, one must sincerely love the profession and seek only the truth, and he said:
“A journalist is expected to report a conflict, a disaster, a humanitarian or political development with all of its facts, even in the farthest ends of the world. Journalism is, in this sense, a public service. One of the most serious threats facing journalism today is the danger of being imprisoned behind a desk with different motives, most notably financial difficulties. Unfortunately, we see that this danger has become more apparent during the global pandemic and that there has been an increase in reporting from behind a desk, practising journalism without being on the ground and avoiding direct contact with the realities of the ground. However, practising this special profession while isolated from the ground is impossible.”
Altun stated that being aware of this fact, they made an effort to support the work of international media members who follow the developments in the country and the region, they took numerous steps in this direction, and they were trying to implement projects that would enable journalists to reach hot spots, to obtain the information they want and to gain a better understanding of Turkish society.
“In the fight against disinformation, journalists must exercise public accountability in their work”
Stating how rapidly false, disinformative, malicious, and fake information could spread in many regions of the world and in Türkiye today, Altun said:
“Our era has evolved into one in which lies can spread many times quicker than the truth. This carries the risk of ‘falsifying the truth’ for the whole global media. I know that everyone in this room is much more concerned with the value of the concept of ‘truth’ in light of this image. In the ‘post-truth’ period we live in, we witness dire examples of disinformation on a daily basis, particularly with the use of social media for malicious purposes. We witness how disinformation campaigns on social media seriously endanger social life and democracy, victimise several segments of society, and promote discrimination, racism, and xenophobia. In the fight against disinformation, it is of great importance for journalists to exercise public accountability in their work. At this point, real journalists are the primary actors in the war of disinformation, representing the truth and defending the truth.”
Underlining that the media had a vital duty to convey the truth and remove false, fake and distorted information, Altun said:
“Unfortunately, we can see how the media can be used to spread disinformation and lies for malicious purposes. From time to time, social media can become an element that influences and even determines traditional media. So-called news, which spreads quickly on social media and is in no way founded on fact, can find a home in traditional media as if it were real news. These malicious media activities have also had a significant impact on our country. At this point, we devote a significant portion of our time to exposing the truth against these disinformative contents. Unfortunately, the international media’s tremendous interest in Türkiye and our President is frequently not motivated by truth or journalism. As our country takes independent steps in many areas under the leadership of our President, from the economy to the defence industry, and as its sphere of influence grows, we encounter numerous obstructive attempts. At this point, we find it problematic for objective journalism that some international media outlets engage with ideological prejudice in order to create a negative perception of Türkiye and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.”
Altun stated they could act in a qualified relationship and cooperation with many members of the international media at this point, and that they also come across many objective publications about Türkiye’s regional and global activities in the international media, although these determinations and evaluations do not cover all of the international media and international journalists.
“Türkiye is one of the global centres of international media”
Altun thanked all media members who acted in accordance with professional ethics and engaged in journalism with regard to the legal and social responsibility of their reporting and stated that they always support both national and international press members who pursue careers in this direction.
Explaining that they ensured the international press members shared Türkiye’s realities with the domestic and foreign public by paving the way for them to access accurate and reliable information in a timely and convenient manner, Altun stated that the work they carried out in that regard increased international press members’ interest in and inclination toward Türkiye.
Altun emphasised that their consistent constructive and cooperative approach toward the international media resulted in some concrete steps, and he listed these steps:
“For press cards, we have instituted an ‘early application period.’ As a result, we have resolved problems that occasionally arise during residence applications or international travel. Today, we began distributing the cards of the 210 press members who took advantage of the early application option. In order to strengthen relationships with international media, we began coordinating requests for information and opinion, as well as filming permits, from a single centre. We have been and will continue to be partners with the international press not just at the negotiating table but also on the ground. We have expanded international media members’ access to decision-makers and the field by conducting briefing sessions and press tours. As part of this, we have held briefings with senior officials on important issues, such as foreign policy, energy, education, and justice. We continue our work across the country, from east to west, as well as in other places where we have a presence, most notably in Syria, to ensure that the world receives correct information via journalists. Additionally, we conduct press tours in conjunction with relevant institutions and organisations. We see that Türkiye, with its transportation and communication infrastructure, cultural life, and hospitality, is one of the world’s international media hubs.”
Mentioning that one of these efforts is to provide Turkish language courses to accredited international press members based in Türkiye in collaboration with the Institute, Altun also said that the online course, which began in April, was attended by 53 press members from 29 countries.
He also added that a book titled “Guidelines for International Press Members in Türkiye” was prepared and is going to be delivered to international press members in Türkiye.
Stating that the book provided material that international press members would utilise in their professional work and daily lives in Türkiye, Altun said, “Our guide provides up-to-date and detailed answers to a variety of concerns, as well as information that may be required in professional and social life from the moment you arrive in Türkiye. This book will instruct you on a variety of topics, ranging from how to rent a house to how to choose a school for your child, from press accreditation to our country’s political and bureaucratic structure.”
“Barrier-Free CIMER” and “Lend an Ear” projects launched for the visually impaired
Altun wished that December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, would be beneficial to all persons with disabilities in Türkiye and around the world.
Stating that the state continues to support persons with disabilities so that they could participate in all sectors of society, from school to work, Altun said, “As the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, we have launched today the ‘Barrier-Free CIMER’ and ‘Lend an Ear’ projects, which include audiobooks for the visually impaired. Furthermore, we have issued the Barrier-Free Access and Communication Guide as of today in order to improve the quality of services provided by the media to our citizens with disabilities.”
Altun ended his remarks by thanking the President of Yunus Emre Institute, Prof ATEŞ and the instructors.
