Director of Communications Altun: "The most recent target of the systematic disinformation and social engineering campaigns we have been exposed to has been our country's migrant policy. As a state and a nation, we will not allow attempts to acquire political interests through malicious intentions in a manner that is contrary to humanitarian and conscientious values."
Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun delivered a speech at the Local Media Workshop co-organized by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications and the Anatolia Broadcasting Association in the Presidency's Directorate of Communications' Conference Hall.
In his remarks, Director of Communications Altun underlined that the workshop would seek to contribute to the local, national, and global media's struggle for truth. Director of Communications Altun stated that local media has always played an essential role for the country from the past to the present, and added that the local media, which represented the voice of both the Anatolian people and the Anatolia during the War of Independence, fuelled nation's fire of independence.
Stating that the local media plays a critical role in the democratic landscape of Türkiye, Director of Communications Altun went on to say,
"Whether on a local or national scale, local and national media have always been crucial. Our country's progress in all areas during the last 20 years, under the leadership of our President, has been reflected in the diversity and growth of local and national media. Undoubtedly, media is a dynamic field. The advancement of technology and the resulting digital transformation can be seen in the media's production and consumption aspects. In fact, we may conclude that the consequences of technology and digital development are more visible in the media sector."
"It is apparent that the shift will have an impact on the local media."
Director of Communications Altun remarked that the conventional media, particularly newspapers, television, and radio, saw significant transformations, as had their elements. Director of Communications Altun stated that they lived in an era where barriers to media access were being removed because the contents reached a much larger audience as a result of new possibilities. He noted that geographical distinctions and descriptions attributed to local, national, and international media are no longer valid in this context.
Emphasizing that the transformation they have gone through has caused them to modify their definitions of media, Director of Communications Altun added,
“We may conclude that in an era where access has no bounds, we need to develop a new description for the phrase we currently refer to as "local media." On the other hand, it is apparent that this transformation and change will have an impact on the local media in all aspects. The digital transformation has ushered in a new era, with implications ranging from content creation to technological infrastructure. Of course, digital tools offer significant prospects for democracy and participation. However, in addition to many innovations and developments, digital transformation has significant downsides and drawbacks. One of these is the phenomenon of disinformation, which will be addressed at this workshop."
"Disinformation bombardment lies at the heart of communication analyses”
Director of Communications Altun stated that communication analysts have been discussing information bombardment for a long time, whereas they are currently experiencing disinformation bombardment, and added that the disinformation bombardment was unfortunately at the heart of communication analyses. Noting that we are currently experiencing a period in which the disinformation bombardment defines the reality, Director of Communications Altun said: “It is vital to defend the truth in this period. In the current post-truth era, we face a disinformation threat that is growing in size and scope due to the increasing prevalence of digital media. This threat has the potential to impact numerous domains, ranging from public safety to personal rights.”
Director of Communications Altun noted we are all experiencing the misuse of technological and digital tools that provide significant benefits to individuals, societies, and humanity and made the following assessments:
"This situation necessitates a structural transformation in the media sector and journalism approach. This problem is most pronounced on social media platforms, where lies and false information predominate over the truth and reality. Local media should, like national media, keep up with new communication technologies and digital transformation rather than falling behind. Nonetheless, in such an environment, it is essential to avoid falling into the disinformation trap. We need to pay particular attention to how we confront fake news and disinformation in the local media landscape and what we can do to prevent it on the internet and social media, in addition to traditional media."
Director of Communications Altun emphasized that the media could only serve its true purpose if it sought only the truth. Indicating that the pursuit of the truth must be the "true fuel and power of media," Director of Communication Altun said, “It is also certain that a powerful media will be able to successfully combat disinformation, which we might refer to as the ‘digital plague of our day’. As the Directorate of Communications, we will continue to work with you to empower the media, facilitate its activities and combat disinformation because you, media members, and we share a responsibility to ensure that the truth is heard louder.”
Director of Communications Altun stated that the country was under attack from all sides, from politics to the economy and security to the media. Indicating that the presence of media members who are aware of their professional and social responsibilities is a significant advantage in the fight against fake news and disinformation, Director of Communications Altun shared his opinion, saying, “Press members who inspire trust will boost the profession's reputation while also contributing to the good functioning of democracy by ensuring that the society has access to the right information. The spirit of the time requires us to work harder on this issue."
Migrant Policy
Stating, "Our country's migration policy has been the latest target of the systematic disinformation and social engineering campaigns we have been subjected to. As a state and nation, we will never allow attempts to amass political interests by unscrupulous calculations, devoid of humane and moral values", Director of Communications Altun noted that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had demonstrated Türkiye's stance on this matter quite clearly.
Noting that President Erdoğan has fought for ten years to end the persecution in Syria, declaring from the start, "We will not hand over the oppressed to the murderers," Director of Communications Altun emphasized that this struggle is being waged in plain view of the international community, regional and international actors.
Director of Communications Altun emphasized that while President Erdoğan was engaged in this struggle, those who collaborated with the oppressors and sent delegations and sympathetic messages to them were attempting to criticize President Erdoğan's noble struggle and create an atmosphere of chaos through the migrant policy, and added that the actions of these malicious actors were evident to all.
"It is our humanitarian duty to safeguard people who have taken refuge in our country"
Stating that they are attempting to end the persecution in Syria, bring peace to the homes of those who have been separated from their homeland, and end their homesickness so that they can return to their homes safely, Director of Communications Altun continued:
"We intend to continue our efforts to the greatest extent possible. It is our historical and humanitarian duty to safeguard people who have taken refuge in our country. We have sought a permanent solution to this issue from the very beginning. To date, we have facilitated the return of 500,000 Syrians to the territories of northern Syria that we have secured. Additionally, we continue to work to increase this number through safe, humane, and voluntary returns.We believe that there is a plane tree of compassion rooted in the heart of our nation from past to present. This plane tree also serves as the foundation for our state’s realistic and humane steps. Our nation never has and will never give credit to news and discourses based on systematic lies and disinformation. We are confident about this. Racism and hatred have never been a part of this country’s societal DNA. Malicious intentions will always be a pointless endeavour. We know that leaving one’s homeland to protect one’s life and dignity is an obligation, not a voluntary choice. Our state closely monitors the migration issue with all relevant institutions and organisations and takes all required measures effectively. I want to clarify that we will not tolerate any irregularities in this issue.”
Recognising that the local media has major responsibilities in covering the issue of migration, Director of Communications Altun stated that the members of the media in the provinces, who are close witnesses of this picture, are the people who will most accurately describe the integration and harmony of the citizens with the guests in different provinces of Türkiye. Director of Communications Altun emphasised that the local media may be a pioneer in this framework by bringing stories to light that have not been seen or heard enough.
“Disinformation has become a global security problem”
Director of Communications Altun also drew attention to the fact that disinformation has become a national security problem and a global security one.
Saying that one of the issues they agreed on during his meetings with his interlocutors in the international arena was how disinformation spread, particularly through social media companies, harms democracies, Director of Communications Altun noted:
“Our interlocutors, the actors in charge of maintaining public order, clearly and firmly reveal how much the wave of disinformation spreading through social media companies harms democracy in each country and how it affects personal, free and democratic choices. We are engaged in a determined fight on the truth front against the black propaganda and perception management operations waged against our country and our state. We defend this fight on international platforms as well. Although there are those, who try to neutralise our struggle on the basis of anti-Türkiye sentiment, with disinformation gradually increasing its influence and posing a threat to all societies, those who are anti-Türkiye also face the disinformation processes and the social media companies that manage them and make an intense effort to restrict them. We think that disinformation and the tangled web behind it pose a threat to peace and tranquillity not only nationally but also globally. We will continue to defend the truth and fight against disinformation with the same determination.”
“Our local media is among the main stakeholders of the Türkiye’s Communication Model”
Director of Communications Altun stated that the Directorate of Communications will always stand by the members of the press who contribute to the establishment of a healthy public opinion via the dissemination of accurate information.
Noting that the Directorate is responsible for contributing to an effective media environment, Director of Communications Altun continued:
“Accordingly, we engage in a vast array of activities, ranging from local to national and international to Turkish media abroad. We view each media institution and its representatives in these domains as our stakeholders. All media employees, from the editorial director to the editor, cameraman to reporter, sound technician to lighting technician, and photojournalist to the editorial staff, are important and precious to us. Local media, on the other hand, is of particular importance since it permeates the capillaries of local communities throughout our country. Our local media is among the main stakeholders and components of Türkiye’s Communication Model.”
Director of Communications Altun remarked that, as the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, they will always continue to stand by all relevant institutions and organisations and local media, predominantly the Press Advertisement Institution and President Erdoğan’s instruction is also in this direction.
Noting that they continue to support and work for the local media with 19 regional directorates today, Director of Communications Altun asked the local media to work more in concert with communication technologies and improve the quality of their staff and content.
Director of Communications Altun added that they have taken steps in this direction and will continue to implement works that are structured according to future needs.
