Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun said, "I would like to congratulate January 10 Working Journalists' Day of the media workers, who practice their profession with an awareness of political, moral and social responsibility."
Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun stated that media, which is an integral element of democracy, has a vital function in forming a healthy public opinion. Altun noted the following in his message released on the occasion of January 10 Working Journalists' Day:
"Media members often have a vital role to play in terms of public access to the right information.
While meeting the public's need to receive news, journalists who protect democratic and legal values and respect personal rights, with the understanding of social responsibility as well as professional principles, act as "representatives of the truth".
The sensitivity shown by all journalists working in local, national, and international media regarding the truth while performing their profession increases the prestige of journalism and the trust in the media and contributes to the healthy functioning and strengthening of democracy.
This sensitivity, combined with professional competence and success, also sets an outstanding example for the young journalists.
The existence of our press organizations and journalists, who have made an impact in the international media with their achievements and competence, fills our country with pride and honours us.
Turkey's progress in every sector in recent years has also been demonstrated by the establishment of a diverse liberal atmosphere in the media.
In our country, freedom of press and freedom of expression have been expanded and guaranteed to such an extent that cannot be compared to 20 years ago.
Despite this fact, unfortunately, these concepts are exploited inside and outside by the anti-Turkey circles with distorted assessments and are being associated with baseless comments to create a negative perception against our country.
The period in which we live and the events taking place in our region have shown how precious the truth is and has also proven how dangerous the journalists, who become strangers to their own country and society, can be.
Journalists who are 'representatives of the truth' before anyone else should not allow the concepts of freedom of the press and expression to be used as shields for the propaganda of terrorist organizations, discrimination among our citizens, spreading the seeds of discord and hatred, or glorifying the tutelage and coup periods.
On the other hand, developing technology brings along new opportunities for internet journalism and social media journalism, as well as printed and visual media.
The existence of journalists who can comprehend the developments in our country, our region, and the world in a correct way, spread accurate information more rapidly by taking advantage of technological means, and who can struggle against the fabricated news in a decisive manner becomes even more crucial and precious at present in which disinformation-oriented news can circulate through new media outlets.
As the Directorate of Communications of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, we will always continue to support our esteemed media members who contribute to our country's development and progress and the strengthening of the unity and solidarity atmosphere while practicing their profession without compromising professional principles.
With these feelings and thoughts, I congratulate once again January 10 Working Journalists' Day of the journalists who devotedly serve throughout the country and the world, and May Allah's mercy be upon those who lost their lives while performing their duties."