Addressing questions about disinformation and counter-efforts in an interview with the Dünya Newspaper, the Presidency's Head of Communications, Fahrettin Altun, stated, "We remain steadfast in our commitment to communication mobilisation and combating the weaponisation of disinformation and similar distortions of information in the sphere of economics and beyond."
During the interview at the Dolmabahçe Presidential Office, Head of Communications Altun addressed the question, "Is it possible to classify disinformation regarding economics as a market-distorting activity?" by saying:
"Our experience thus far makes it abundantly evident that one of the areas where disinformation efforts seek to influence the most is the market. Particularly in the wake of the pandemic, distortions of information, including disinformation and misinformation, have exacerbated uncertainties, global economic instability, and crises. We certainly cannot overlook the effects of disinformation and manipulation efforts that have discovered new opportunities for themselves in the heightened vulnerability of national economies worldwide."
"The decision-making processes of economic actors worldwide can be influenced by the comments made on the economy and official data with misleading and distorted data, as well as various unfounded allegations," said Head of Communications Altun, adding, "Disinformation has the potential to distort the market when the assessments made by individuals identifying themselves as "economists" who misrepresent or misinterpret economic data without being challenged are shared on new media outlets and even have their content featured on traditional media. Unfortunately, Türkiye has been the occasional target of similar attacks in recent years. Speculative calls to 'buy foreign currency, withdraw your money from banks,' alongside false claims such as "a minister, the head of an institution, etc., have resigned," were forms of disinformation and manipulation that were particularly prevalent in the lead-up to the elections. In recent days, certain circles have attempted to revive one of these lies. They circulated lies on social media platforms, claiming that our Minister of Treasury and Finance would resign or face dismissal."
"Undermining confidence is their goal"
Altun said, "Certainly, we are fully aware of something," before adding:
"The goal of those who have been disseminating these falsehoods in recent days is to undermine the confidence of our citizens in the economy, create political pressure by creating market uncertainty to secure unfair gains and political interests, and potentially influence the ongoing judicial processes. Thankfully, however, we see that our citizens are aware of such sordid schemes and continue to have confidence in our economic leadership and plans. As the Directorate of Communications, we counter all kinds of disinformation and manipulation efforts by using all means at our disposal to protect our economic stability and will continue to do so."
"The word 'speed' describes the current era in a nutshell"
Responding to the question, "Which one do you think is more desirable: Breaking news or in-depth reporting?" Head of Communications Altun said, "Digitalisation has certainly affected, transformed, and continues to transform journalism in many ways." This transformation applies both to breaking news and in-depth reporting. It would not be reasonable to consider one more desirable than the other. Both play a part in different contexts and assume critical roles in the media ecosystem."
"In many ways, the word 'speed' encapsulates our current era. We lead daily lives where even routine activities and processes are sped up, and everything occurs rapidly," Head of Communications Altun highlighted, adding, "Every moment brings new developments, not just in our country, but also in our region and around the globe. Therefore, breaking news, in other words, instant news, is very valuable for this data flow."
There is a need for novel news narratives that will take into account scattered minds
Noting that the thrill of being the first to break the news is an essential part of journalism, Head of Communications Altun added:
"We acknowledge that. However, the reflex to deliver news quickly should not come at the expense of journalistic ethics. We can only speak of true journalism when speed and truth go hand in hand. I am talking about ensuring that 'accuracy', the most important aspect of news, is not compromised or incorporated into disinformation campaigns while racing against time. On the other hand, against the backdrop of these rapid changes and the bombardment of news, there will always be a need for in-depth reporting that provides context and the ability to make connections. This type of reporting builds understanding and insight in society by providing layered, in-depth information accompanied by critical perspectives. In this respect, it is very valuable. Of course, we also have to take into account the scattered minds whose attention spans are getting shorter, trying to catch a piece of everything amidst the flood of content. The narrative of the news story should be designed to maintain the reader's attention. In a way, there is a need for novel narrative styles."
"The sense of responsibility towards society is essential"
Noting that "the sense of responsibility towards society is essential regardless of the type of news," Head of Communications Altun concluded his remarks, stating:
"Only this sense of responsibility can keep the journalists from being superficial, using misleading expressions to grab attention, carelessly serving images of scenes from a terrorist attack and spreading misinformation based on hearsay. Truth is our greatest power, and only with this understanding can it prevail."
"We have thwarted over 2,000 malicious attempts aimed at our country and our region"
In response to the question, "The rise of social media platforms has brought greater diversity. However, it also enables lies to spread rapidly. How to tackle this?" Head of Communications Altun said:
"Mr Recep, this is an extremely important question. The epidemic of digital is lies, disinformation, and misinformation. In the post-truth era, the spread rate of fake news and misinformation is much higher than that of accurate news and information. Unfortunately, this is the big reality we are faced with. On top of that, the line between lies and truth becomes so blurred that it turns into a challenge to our perception.
Of course, this fake content not only manipulates one's perception but also, in some cases, triggers social fault lines and undermines democratic processes. Nowadays, as we are witnessing critical developments aimed at freeing our country and our region from terrorism, we notice that images from the past, taken from various places, are being presented as if they are happening in our region.
Through our Centre for Combating Disinformation (DMM), we are exposing these lies and black propaganda one by one. This is not a simple matter. What we are doing is disrupting the agendas of vested interests that seek to provoke sectarian sedition and conflict. So far, we have thwarted over 2,000 malicious attempts aimed at our country and region. As the Directorate of Communications, this is among our top priority fields of work.
Under the 'Türkiye's Communication Model', we are fighting to protect the truth and safeguard our country, utilising all the tools, methods, and resources of strategic communication. We have found that the most effective approach is through verification initiatives, which is why we established our Centre for Combating Disinformation. On the other hand, we place great importance on the processes of informing and raising awareness within our society. The current scene reminds us of the significance of media literacy yet again. It is just as important for individuals to develop effective filters against fake news and content as it is to prevent the production and spread of such content in both traditional and social media.
Our society and citizens need to be immune to fake news or content and develop a defence mechanism. Of course, through our institutions and organisations, universities, and civil initiatives, we are working diligently to raise awareness on this matter.
Surely, we should also address this issue in terms of social media companies. These companies need to be more proactive in moderating user posts and issuing warnings about misinformation. Accordingly, members of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye are working on this issue and developing solutions by communicating with the managers of social media platforms operating in Türkiye in the relevant commissions.
If only social media platforms were used for their intended purposes - as tools for sharing information and freedom of expression as a requirement of democracy - so that we would not waste our resources and energy on preventing systematic disinformation activities. However, we understand the challenges ahead and are countering malicious manoeuvres through our own unique defence strategies."
In response to the question, "Where are traditional media organisations positioned in the fight against disinformation?" Head of Communications Altun stated the following:
"Combating disinformation can only succeed through the collective efforts of every single person, institution and entity. With its institutionalised structure and qualified human resources, traditional media is, of course, a central pillar in our struggle for truth. Furthermore, traditional media have rapidly adapted to technological innovations and digital transformation through the opportunities provided by the state.
We can observe that traditional media in our country now operate in close coordination with new media. Nevertheless, traditional media, which play a crucial role in democracy and participation, should avoid falling into the disinformation trap and develop a fundamental defence mechanism. I am referring to strict adherence to verification-based reporting as a requirement of journalistic principles. I am pointing to the need for our diverse media to take a stand on the side of truth in the fight against disinformation, which is described as "the digital plague of our age". I believe traditional media is one of the most important structures to balance this process against the fake content disseminated through social media and digital platforms.
"Writing on hearsay has become widespread. Upon the question, "Can we call someone who is not loyal to the truth a journalist?" Head of Communications Altun responded, "It is unacceptable for a real journalist or a media professional to write on hearsay. Someone who writes and reports on hearsay is not a journalist but a useful tool in someone else's hands. Unfortunately, we are witnessing that in recent times, hearsay-driven reporting has become an industry in the journalism field. In an era in which anyone can assume the role of a journalist, it is now essential to question the motivations for the voices that resonate on social media platforms.
Then, would it be fair to refer to someone who is not committed to the truth, does not value the truth, and does not advocate for the truth as a journalist? Seeking an answer to this question is also crucial for comprehending the macro social structure of the contemporary world. Societies overwhelmed by a flood of messages; content platforms where the truth and falsehood are ambiguous; and perceptions that are being devised through hearsay...
The use of hearsay to impose specific opinions on the public is, in its basic sense, a contribution to disinformation activities. Unfortunately, certain media professionals—note that I am not referring to them as journalists—are attempting to impose their manufactured truths on the public by leveraging the power of the media they possess rather than the truth itself. We cannot consider this as journalism or the writer as a journalist. We cannot regard this as freedom of the press.
And I must also emphasise this. Hearsay cannot be considered a method of evaluating public opinion. A true journalist should provide only reliable data, apply verification mechanisms properly, and solely serve the truth in their reporting."
When asked, "What efforts does the Directorate of Communications carry out in the fight against disinformation?" Head of Communications Altun responded as follows:
"Before I begin, I would like to emphasise that. We are equipped with the institutional structure, plans, and strategies to respond immediately to any threat or attempt against Türkiye in the field of communication. Today, the communication ecosystem requires constant vigilance. The Türkiye's Communication Model, which we developed with this understanding and which serves as the main framework of our efforts, stands out through its swift response capability and structure that prioritises the truth.
Our Centre for Combating Disinformation (DMM), which we launched within the framework of the Türkiye's Communication Model, carries out a very strategic and critical mission. The stronghold of the struggle we have been waging as one of the countries most exposed to disinformation on a global scale, the DMM has been adopted by many countries as an exemplary practice. The DMM, which is in close coordination with our state's relevant institutions and organisations, operates 24/7. It eliminates the potential harm that disinformation may inflict on individuals, society, and the state by prioritising the truth over lies, fabrications, black propaganda, and perception management operations.
Besides, it is also crucial to raise a strong counter-voice on the grounds of truth in combating disinformation. In addition to the efforts exerted by our Directorate by employing all strategic communication tools and methods, I must also mention our struggle for a fair representation system in the global media.
We have made significant progress in international broadcasting with our associated and affiliated organisations, TRT and Anadolu Agency. First of all, we have clearly put in place a barrier to the one-way flow of news and content from the West to the East. As a repercussion of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's vision of a 'fairer world' in the media, we are the voice of billions of people who are not represented in this field. The content we produce, grounded in humanity, ethics, and truth, is echoing across the world. I wholeheartedly believe that the voice emerging from Türkiye’s spirit of justice and compassion will continue to grow stronger. Because this voice draws its strength from the truth."
When asked, "Do you have any recommendations for media organisations in combating 'deepfake' technology as it develops alongside artificial intelligence?" Head of Communications Altun responded:
"Deepfake technology is entrenching itself as an insidious threat. It consistently manifests itself, just like one of the primary components of Baudrillard's simulation universe. From now on, media organisations will need to be constantly vigilant against such content. Members of the media need to have a solid understanding of the deepfake technology. By knowing how such content is generated and how to identify it, they can adopt a careful and critical approach in the news they report.
Indeed, it is very important to check the authenticity of the image or video content by performing detailed research on it. Nowadays, a quick search on the Internet provides information on when images or videos were produced. New technologies and software are also an effective way to detect deepfakes.
Advanced algorithms can assist our colleagues in the media in detecting fake content. Such software can even detect deepfakes by analysing anomalies in images. I believe the media should institutionalise an ethical AI contract. This would be far more binding and serve the public interest. I believe the media's sensitivity to this matter will further extend to our society, thereby enhancing awareness of fake content, such as deepfakes.
After all, these new threats in the field of digital technology not only pose a risk towards individuals and organisations but also towards democracy and national security."