In his address at the "Symposium on Reconsidering the History of the Turkish Press" held in the Directorate of Communications' Conference Hall, Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun said, "In the post-truth era, all forms of media are engaged in a fierce struggle against disinformation. Our only source of strength in this struggle is the truth."
Wishing that the symposium, which would feature several panels, would be auspicious for the press and academic communities, Director of Communications Altun stated that the event would explore the history of the Turkish press from a variety of perspectives - from the Ottoman era to the National Struggle and Early Republic periods, as well as the multi-party era to the present day.
Director of Communications Altun indicated that, in addition to the development of the media in Türkiye and attempts to enhance the press, "the position of the Turkish media in the post-truth era" will be addressed at this symposium and added, "Unquestionably, it is critical for politicians, media members, and scholars to accurately understand and interpret the past and present. I believe that this symposium is an essential step in this direction, and I hope it will contribute to future academic research."
Pointing out that one of the essential pillars of democracy is a free, robust, diverse, qualified, and fair media, Director of Communications Altun stressed that a press community that embraces democratic and legal values, operates with professional ethics and a sense of social responsibility, and respects personal rights is indispensable for a robust democracy.
Director of Communications said that Türkiye has made significant strides, achievements, and progress in the previous 20 years under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and added that these developments were also mirrored in the media sphere, resulting in a more free and diverse media environment.
Director of Communications stated that over the same period, freedom of the press and freedom of speech have been safeguarded and expanded to unprecedented levels and continued:
"Despite this fact, concepts such as freedom of the press and freedom of expression are tried to be exploited as a tool for anti-Türkiye sentiment, with approaches that have been distorted and abused against our country, both domestically and internationally. We certainly are aware of this political, ideological, and malicious approach. Unfortunately, we see that a portion of the Turkish press laid the ground for coups, participated in 5th column activities, and engaged in character assassination. Our President made a historic address on the Democracy and Freedom Island on May 27. In that speech, he photographed how a democratic government was overthrown by a coup, with lies circulated by the media, leading to the execution of Adnan Menderes and his companions. In a sense, he painted the portrait of the dark side of the history of the press. The press should only strive toward strengthening democracy, fulfilling the public's right to freedom of information, and informing society in a healthy and accurate manner. However, we sadly witness that a portion of the press is still trumpeting the colonial mentality rather than adopting a local and national stance. The fact that populist publishing policies take precedence over public interest becomes a factor that undermines the media's vital function in democratic systems. Today, we see in the media that the 5W1H principle is forgotten and ignored."
Pointing out that speed, clicks, social media metrics, sensation, circulation, and ratings have become elements that replace the truth, Director of Communications Altun said, "Truth is pushed back into the background, obscured and distorted by means of fake news, fake information, fictional texts, montage videos and photographs produced at the desk. The truth is being disregarded with the perception produced in place of the reality, and a simulated world is created over the lie that is presented as the truth."
"Citizens have also turned into content producers"
Stating that the public is misled by fabricated news and fake content, where the understanding of responsible media and the professional and moral principles of the press are left aside, Director of Communications Altun said:
"They dare do this for a variety of reasons, including obtaining popularity, making money through politics, and defending capital owners. As a result, the masses are lured away from reality and into the simulation universe in order to achieve their own goals and objectives. At this point, it is necessary to mention the concept of 'citizen journalist', which has grown in popularity in recent years. Citizens have also turned into content creators as a result of digital opportunities. However, 'citizen journalists' frequently fail to employ the necessary verification methods and confirmation mechanisms. It is critical to call the information and its source into question. As a result, those who use social media with their posts to create a kind of simulation universe are actually serving to distort the truth. This situation not only highlights the importance of journalism as a profession, but demonstrates once again that it cannot be done without professional equipment and expertise. Journalists, whom I essentially regard as truth-bearers, should stand up to those who undermine the profession's dignity and distort the truth."
Director of Communications Altun stated that there are members of the press and media institutions who continue to pursue the truth in such circumstances, and thanked them.
"We demand a fairer media order"
Director of Communications Altun said that the digital privacy, cyber-imperialism, the right to be forgotten, digital dictatorship, data security, data privacy, and digital fascism are at the centre of discussions in the new media order developing within the new global system, and added:
"The rapid spread of both social media-centred information and disinformation to large populations puts us almost in the midst of a 'digital siege.' False, incomplete, erroneous, fictional, misleading information and fake news, on the other hand, turn social media into a massive 'echo chamber.' Similar points of view are accepted without question while opposing viewpoints are dismissed, and only their own ideas are held to be correct. The echo chamber effect allows users to prioritise the realities in their digital bubbles over the realities in the real world. On the other hand, one of the most serious issues in the digital public sphere is systematic disinformation campaigns. We are currently witnessing a media order that has shifted from information war to disinformation war. In such an environment, our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's vision of 'A fairer world is possible' should be our guiding principle in communication and media. Inspired by our President, we demand a fairer media order for the entire world."
Director of Communications Altun emphasised that they would never accept a media order based on lies and disinformation on a national and international scale, that it is not innocent for anyone to produce or spread disinformation under the guise of journalism, and that this is neither freedom of the media nor freedom of expression.
"Our only source of strength in this struggle is the truth"
Director of Communications Altun stated that this should be countered collectively in order to defend these principles and concepts and said, "Social networks that lack a supervisory and control mechanism are easily manipulated by influence agents and terrorist organisations. Unfortunately, these social media networks openly permit them. In the post-truth era, all forms of media are engaged in a fierce struggle against disinformation. Our only source of strength in this struggle is the truth."
Director of Communications Altun affirmed that the only strength of all media organisations and members of the press should be the truth and that measures have been taken against this threat to preserve both public security and order, as well as personal rights around the world.
Director of Communications Altun said, "We must also take all precautions to prevent slander, insult, defamation, and character assassinations at all platforms," and added that there is a significant demand for clean media and clean social media around the world at this time. Altun went on to say that many governments have taken actions to safeguard their citizens and institutions through anti-disinformation measures and that citizens expect governments to protect their rights and guarantee their freedoms as well.
"Freedom of the press and expression is protected"
Director of Communications said, "Taking comprehensive measures to counteract disinformation more effectively in our country is unquestionably a need and an expectation of public opinion. To address this need and expectation, legal sanctions, surely, should be placed on individuals who intentionally create and disseminate fake news and disinformation," and added:
"Disrupting public order through fake news and disinformation, as well as violating personal rights, should be classified as crimes that should not go unpunished within the legal framework. Legal infrastructure and administrative measures should be expanded and enhanced to combat disinformation. We are all aware that the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye is currently working on a legislation incorporating these elements. We are pleased with this effort in the Parliament, as is everyone who believes in the ideals of free media, pluralistic society, and democratic politics. To be clear, this regulation will only bother those who spread disinformation. This regulation will only make those who violate personal rights uneasy. Only those who try to disrupt the public order with false and distorted information are disturbed by this regulation. Only those who try to encumber the freedom to receive information are disturbed by this regulation. Only those who distort democratic values are disturbed by this regulation. Only those who interfere with the systematic lying mechanisms are disturbed by this regulation. Only those who try to poison the political scene and social peace are disturbed by this regulation. I believe it is noteworthy that those who are most vocal in their opposition to this regulation also fabricate and spread lies and disinformation the most. The debates around this legislative proposal clearly demonstrate who is on the side of democracy and who is opposed to it."
Emphasising that the regulation never compromises fundamental rights and freedoms, and democratic rights are never jeopardised, Director of Communications Altun said, "The freedom of the press, freedom of expression and personal rights are protected to the fullest extent possible. It is ensured that the profession of journalism is carried out in a more principled, qualified, and respected manner. Progressive steps are also taken in terms of the rights of internet news sites and their personnel as a result of the changes to be implemented."
Director of Communications Altun stated that the law anticipates that internet news sites will benefit from the same opportunities as periodicals in terms of publishing official announcements and advertisements.
"The great and powerful Türkiye's media..."
Noting that digital platforms have evolved into the concept of "digital democracy" and revealed the problem of digital fascism, Director of Communications Altun said, "Today, we can see this very clearly in the social and political developments in the US, European Union countries and Türkiye."
Pointing out that the "post-truth" of big data, data science and mining, network analysis, artificial intelligence and algorithms, sponsored advertisements, filter bubbles and micro-targeting are the most effective instruments of the "post-truth age", Director of Communications Altun noted:
"Unquestionably, in the twenty-first-century political paradigm, state independence is now controlled by 'digital independence.' Today, cyber sovereignty has become one of the most important concepts in international relations. As a result, we must prepare for the future in digital media and use all media instruments to implement the motto 'Türkiye is not a country to which definitions are attributed; it is a country that produces definitions.' The Turkish press should act by internalising this vision at a time when our country is transforming into a regional power and a global actor. We must utter our President's paradigm, 'The world is bigger than five,' through all communication channels as loudly as possible. We must accurately convey the values that underpin this approach to our citizens and the world's public opinion. As the great and powerful Türkiye increases its influence and mobility in the international arena, the severity and extent of disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation campaigns against our country are increasing. Therefore, we need a more resilient Turkish press to counter anti-Türkiye campaigns."
Noting that everyone should strive for the "communication mobilisation" that President Erdoğan called for, Director of Communications Altun emphasised that as the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, they stand with everyone who fights for the truth in the press community with all of their means.
"A work that will shed light on the history of the press"
Stating that as the Directorate, they carry out multi-dimensional studies in a wide range from strategic communication to public relations, from public diplomacy to relations with the media, Director of Communications Altun said:
"With all of our efforts, we are attempting to establish and develop the 'Türkiye's Communication Model.' The Presidency's Directorate of Communications Publications is one of our strategic communication instruments. Under this umbrella, we publish a wide range of themed works in several languages. On the occasion of this symposium, I am pleased to present the 'Directorate General of Press and Information Record Book', which is the recent one of these works and spans the years 1924-1927. I believe that this valuable work, which emerged as a result of great efforts, will shed light on the history of the press. The records of members of the press during the early years of the Republic are covered in transcription and print editions of this work, which comprises documents relating to a very special period in our press history. The album also includes information about figures such as Hayganush Mark and Fevziye Abdürreşit, who can be considered the first female representatives in our press history. This book is a tribute to our esteemed experts, whose works about a century ago contributed significantly to our press tradition."
Director of Communications Altun thanked the scientists who contributed to the effort, the Presidency of the State Archives, and his colleagues who played a significant role in the creation of the book, and he wished the symposium to be auspicious to the press community and Türkiye.
After his address, Director of Communications Altun visited the "history of the press" exhibition organised by the Directorate of Communications.