Regarding the weekly The Economist, Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun said, "It seems like they feel obligated to announce the end of Turkish democracy through regurgitating clichés, misinformation and blatant propaganda."
Director of Communications Altun shared a social media post in response to The Economist's cover story on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Director of Communications Altun began his post with "Here we go again!" indicating that The Economist recycles its intellectually lazy, dull, and purposefully ignorant depiction of Türkiye, and he went on to make the following remarks:
"It seems like they feel obligated to announce the end of Turkish democracy through regurgitating clichés, misinformation and blatant propaganda. Outrageous headlines and provocative imagery might help them sell their so-called journal. But we must remind audiences that this is sensationalist journalism based on cheap propaganda and disinformation."
Director of Communications Altun stated that Turkish people have demonstrated their commitment to democracy, equality, and freedom time and again.
Emphasizing that their political system has undergone many tribulations, including a treacherous coup attempt in 2016 when the people spilled their blood to save their democracy, Director of Communications Altun noted:
"When our President Erdoğan called on our citizens to resist the putschists, their response was a lesson for the ages. The so-called journalists and editors at the Economist obviously never bothered to provide decent journalism on our people's struggle for our democracy. This is largely due to their inexplicable and ongoing hatred against our democratically elected President, who has won every election he has entered. If you can't be bothered to investigate how and why the Turkish public trusts Erdoğan, why should anyone take you seriously?!"
Director of Communications Altun indicated that the country is headed for yet another election season where there is a vibrant debate about how to solve their challenges.
Underlining that there is real democratic politics taking place, Director of Communications Altun said, "The opposition has been trying to figure out their strategy for months now. Turkish democracy's vibrancy and our people's ownership of their political system are very strong. I am convinced the Economist will never bother to report on what is actually going on in Türkiye. I just want to warn unsuspecting readers about their sad state!"