Head of Communications Altun said, "Moreover, we fully support the 'Terrorism-Free Türkiye' process, which was initiated with the call of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, the determination of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the support of our grand nation, utilising all strategic communication tools."
In his speech at the "Penal on New Trends in Strategic Communication" held at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Communications, Presidency's Head of Communications Fahrettin Altun said that the panel would discuss the changing nature of communication, new trends in the field of strategic communication, and Türkiye's struggle for truth in different dimensions.
Stating that they are happy to have published three valuable works, namely "New Trends in Strategic Communication," "Dictionary of Strategic Communication Terms," and "Guide to Crisis Communication in New Media," at the same time, Head of Communications Altun emphasised that they produced these three books, which include in-depth solutions regarding the changing media order and new dynamics of communication and crisis management, in order to respond to the challenges they face with the new media ecosystem and to support the establishment of a fair and healthy communication environment. Pointing out that we are living in an age in which access to information is accelerating, despite the fact that the truth is becoming increasingly overshadowed, Head of Communications Altun said:
"This is an era in which information and disinformation are inextricably linked, and the truth is constantly manipulated through the production of fake news. Conventional media and digital platforms are often tools that serve the interests of global powers. The digital communication ecosystem, which was created with the pretence of democratising information, has actually resulted in a new media monopolisation. Conversely, the digital divide between Western developed countries and non-Western developed countries is expanding. With digitalisation, new areas of geopolitical struggle are emerging."
"It is a primary political sphere"
Head of Communications Altun underscored that not only the disputes revolving around energy resources such as oil and gas are at the core of today's geopolitical competition, but also the data and chip industries, together with the key minerals that constitute the basis of them, are at the focus of this competition. Altun said, "Mathematician Clive Humby has an important saying: 'Data is the new oil.' In this environment where global competition is transforming, systematic disinformation and manipulation campaigns, as well as clashes around big data, are being utilised in every corner of the world in a way that would impact global balances. We are witnessing a period of time in which human beings who were previously encircled by objects in capitalist societies are now completely objectified through distorted perceptions, accompanied by a regression of analytical thinking through chaotic data bombardment and toxic content."
Stating that "communication" is now among the dominant factors influencing international politics, crises, and the global economy, Head of Communications Altun continued as such:
"Today, communication is no longer a secondary political sphere; it is a primary political sphere. In the book ‘The Art of War,’ Sun Tzu says, 'Those who have no strategy will face nothing but defeat.' This also applies to the field of communication. Strategic communication is not merely a tool used by states in the fields of security and public diplomacy; it is also directly linked to the protection of truth and human rights."
Pointing out that having robust, effective, and constantly developing communication strategies is one of the most vital elements to survive and thrive in this era dominated by uncertainty, the Head of Communications, Altun, expressed that strategic communication is not just about conveying messages.
"We see our struggle for truth as complementary to our struggle for justice"
Emphasising that strategic communication serves as a central instrument for telling their own story, safeguarding their national security and stability, reinforcing their societal unity and solidarity, and positioning themselves as a determining force in global developments rather than being determined by them, Head of Communications Altun stated:
"The value of our National Technology Move, which consists of 5 main components: 'High Technology and Innovation,' 'Digital Transformation and Industrial Move,' 'Entrepreneurship,' 'Human Capital,' and 'Infrastructure,' lies precisely here. As Türkiye, while enhancing our technological capabilities through strengthening national R&D efforts, we are crowning our struggle for a great Türkiye with our communication strategies. In parallel with our country’s ongoing global struggle for justice under the leadership of our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we are also waging a global struggle for truth. Today, in line with the vision of our President, Türkiye has evolved from a passive actor in the field of communications to a powerful actor that produces strategies at the global level. In addition to TRT and Anadolu Agency; Stratcom, CIMER, the Centre for Combating Disinformation, and media forums under our Directorate of Communications are our globally prominent brands in the field of communication. Each of our activities centred around these brands constitutes clear evidence that Türkiye is on its way to becoming a global actor in the field of strategic communication. As Türkiye, we see our struggle for truth as a complementary and integral part of our struggle for justice."
Remarking that they aim to defend the truth, combat disinformation, and build a fair communication order based on accurate information in the global arena, Head of Communications Altun stated that they believe that information should serve truth and justice and not be a tool of power. Pointing out that they advocate a pluralistic media order against the monopolisation of information, Head of Communications Altun went on to say:
"We persist in being the voice of truth against the use of disinformation as a weapon. We are striving to be the voice of the oppressed and those who are being silenced all over the world against the unilateral manipulation of digital platforms. Within the framework of the Century of Türkiye vision, which serves as a guiding light for the future of Türkiye, we are taking firm steps towards our objectives with awareness of the Century of Communication. This awareness encompasses not only the strengthening of our country's communication strategies but also the development of a model at the global level. At this juncture, we attribute a critical value to Türkiye's Communication Model. Türkiye's Communication Model is the manifestation of a unique perspective that not only pursues the developments in communication but also aims to lead the developments. Our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan highlighted this truth-oriented perspective as follows: 'People's right of access to information is of paramount importance, and we need a new truth-oriented communication approach that prioritises people's right of access to information. Türkiye's Communication Model is the result of our pursuit of this objective. The purpose of this model is to defend and implement a conception of communication within the circle of truth that draws strength from democracy and international law. We also view strategic communication as an essential instrument for fostering international cooperation,' our President states."
"We fully support the Terrorism-Free Türkiye process, utilising all strategic communication tools"
Head of Communications Altun continued:
"Inspired by our President, we regard strategic communication as an integral component of our national security policy, unity, and integrity. We strongly advocate for our country’s legitimate theses and assertions under all circumstances. From counter-terrorism to energy security, regional and global developments, and climate change, we engage in strategic communication activities to prevent information pollution and reveal the truth. We approach all aspects of strategic communication holistically, including public relations, traditional and digital media operations, public diplomacy, relationships with national and international media, awareness campaigns, and combating disinformation. Our goal is to contribute to our country's fight for independence, stability, and future. In order to do this, we try to explain our country's successes in the fight against terrorism when we have to and counter the black propaganda that tries to overshadow these successes. Moreover, we fully support the “Terrorism-Free Türkiye” process, which was initiated with the call of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, the determination of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the support of our grand nation, utilising all strategic communication tools."
Head of Communications Altun said that since they came to Anatolia as a nation, they have faced many problems, overcome many obstacles, and brought justice to the world through the states they built over hundreds of years, adding that now, in the modern era, they are fighting different elements and forms of imperialism and problems that imperialists intentionally left for them to deal with.
"Terrorism-Free Türkiye process has reached an important point"
Head of Communications Altun said that they were strong and could stand up to all attempts to surround them, wars of attrition, and efforts to be reshaped through terrorist organisations and that they are strong, that they exist, that they don't shrink but grow, and added:
"In addition to serving as an island of stability, we have also brought stability and peace to our neighbourhood. For many years, the Syrian civil war was utilised as a tool for destabilising Türkiye, for example. Thankfully, with the help of Allah, the strategic leadership of our President, and the courageous struggle of the Syrian people, Syria was liberated, and the new status quo in Syria has further enhanced the strategic opportunities for Türkiye. Thanks to Türkiye's military, technological, diplomatic, and intelligence efforts, our country is on the verge of a historical dawn today. An important stage has been reached in the process of "Terrorism-Free Türkiye." Our state is in a key position for peace in its region and global conflicts, and in this historical process, it is taking firm steps towards global leadership by embracing brotherhood. Unfortunately, we witness the continuing efforts of actors who wish to distort and reverse this process. These actors, these elements, rush to the weapon of disinformation as usual. We are swift in responding to these actors who are engaged in black propaganda to portray our state as being engaged in a negotiation process. Our duty, therefore, is to thwart these black propaganda activities, false contents, and disinformation."
Head of Communications Altun said, "We know for a fact that our nation acts with common sense, ignores this kind of information pollution, and trusts our state and its institutions. We must work to achieve the goal of 'Terrorism-Free Türkiye' in a spirit of unity and solidarity, and as our President stated, we must completely frustrate the imperialist aspirations that have recently become even more reckless. This is what our efforts are for, and in this context, we continue and will continue to fight for truth by using the strategic communication means within the strategic framework drawn by our state and by our President."
Head of Communications Altun expressed his immense pride in Türkiye's becoming one of the actors shaping the future with its visionary stance at a time when global communication policies are being reshaped and continued his remarks, "Our country, following the vision of "The world is bigger than five" that our President repeatedly put forward, can more effectively forefront its policies in the international arena and is reinforcing its position as a rising global actor due to its increasing competence in the field of strategic communication."
Noting that the endeavours of the Directorate of Communications not only served to develop institutional capacity but also became a significant force in multiplying the increasing impact of Türkiye in international relations since its establishment, Head of Communications Altun emphasised that developing transparent and effective communication strategies based on information is one of the indispensable factors in attaining a pioneering role in global leadership today.
Three new books on strategic communication by the Directorate of Communications
Head of Communications Altun stated that each of their national and international publications serves as a significant testament to the importance they place on this matter and made the following remarks:
The books 'New Trends in Strategic Communication,' 'Dictionary of Strategic Communication Terms,' and 'Guide to Crisis Communication in New Media,' which will be available to readers as of today, are also products of this approach. The book New Trends in Strategic Communication covers the changing national and global trends in detail in light of our experience and knowledge in the field coupled with academic data. It entails all the instruments of strategic communication and addresses a wide array of topics, from artificial intelligence to public diplomacy and public relations to crisis communications in the context of strategic communication, thus making significant contributions to the literature. We are also breaking new ground with our Dictionary of Strategic Communication Terms. Aiming to fill an important gap in the field, this work covers over 400 communication terms, providing comprehensive explanations. This publication helps establish a common language and shared understanding by highlighting the key concepts that shape discussions in the field of strategic communication. This dictionary is designed to evolve with contributions from experts, academics, and communication professionals. Our work, "A Guide to Crisis Communication in New Media," combines academic knowledge with experiences in the field, focusing on the challenges posed by the post-truth era. The book takes a guiding role in crisis communication by focusing on critical contemporary issues such as social media, artificial intelligence, disinformation, the truth crisis, and media literacy. In this context, this work highlights the importance of ensuring transparent, fast, and accurate information flow in times of crisis and offers solutions for preventing disinformation and informing society accurately through strategic communication tools."
Altun stressed his belief that these three books will make significant contributions to Türkiye's accumulated experiences in strategic communication and crisis management, as well as to academia, and wished them a clear path and many readers. Noting that they consider all strategic communication efforts carried out under the umbrella of Türkiye's Communication Model as the reflection of the struggle for a great and fully independent Türkiye and the country's unique path in the field of communication, Head of Communications Altun concluded his remarks as follows:
"We must unite in our fight against the global media regime that hinders humanity's access to the truth, fails to serve a fair communication ecosystem, and does not contribute to the democratisation of the world. Digital dictatorships must be prevented from establishing a new tutelage system based on perceptions and algorithms. The asymmetrical relationship between producing and consuming geographies must be kept from deepening further. To prevent the digital divide from widening, it is imperative to remain vigilant and fight strategically in this direction. We see this struggle as a debt to our country, the truth, and humanity. In this context, the communication mobilisation we are carrying out will grow more meaningful not only by our contribution but also by that of all individuals and institutions working in this field. With these feelings and thoughts, I wish that our panel and books are beneficial, and I would like to thank all of my colleagues and valuable panellists for their contributions to the organisation of this event and these three important books.
I wish that this Ramadan al-Sharif brings good to all Muslims, particularly the oppressed Palestinian people, as well as the Islamic world. Thank you."