Head of Communications Altun said, "While the Israeli genocide machine and its accomplices continue to commit these crimes, our President is working tirelessly on international platforms and in meetings with world leaders to unequivocally put an end to this massacre and genocide and help heal the wounds of the oppressed."
Presidency's Head of Communications, Fahrettin Altun, delivered a speech at the opening of the TRT World Forum 2024, hosted by the TRT under the theme "A World at Breaking Point: Managing Crises and Transformations" at the İstanbul Congress Centre.
In his address, Head of Communications Altun noted that through international platforms like the TRT World Forum, Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Istanbul Security Forum, and STRATCOM, efforts are being made to lay the groundwork for authentic dialogue on critical issues and pressing challenges impacting the world and its people, while also striving to foster global awareness regarding peace, security, prosperity, and the welfare of humanity.
Recognising the objective to elevate the solution proposals from neglected, silenced, and marginalised groups of the world who are confronting wars, genocides, escalating instability, and hybrid threats to the forefront of global negotiations distinct from Western mainstream narratives, Head of Communications Altun said, "We are pleased to observe that today, these platforms, particularly the TRT World Forum, are becoming institutionalised and garnering increased international attention."
"Our President's political biography stands as a testament to his unwavering struggle for justice"
Head of Communications Altun noted that Türkiye is currently waging two major struggles on the international stage, one for justice and the other for truth, and said, "President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan serves as the leader and flagbearer of both. Our President's political biography stands above all as a testament to his unwavering struggle for justice. From the very outset of his political journey, our President has first and foremost struggled to eradicate injustices and violations of rights, as well as the accompanying socio-economic issues."
Head of Communications Altun stated that President Erdoğan has dedicated significant efforts to eradicate these injustices and issues since assuming office and went on to say:
"These efforts have liberated our democratic sphere from tutelage. Human rights violations within the public domain have been eliminated. Barriers to equal opportunities in education have been removed. The chains of dependency in the economy and foreign policy have been dismantled. The brave acts undertaken have relegated the injustices, violations of rights, and oppressions that our country and citizens endured to the shadows of history. Furthermore, his pursuit of justice and development has consistently been intertwined with a struggle for truth. Notwithstanding numerous threats and efforts to suppress his voice, he stood firm, advocating for and crying out the truth in dire conditions. Praise be to Allah, Türkiye has emerged victorious as a result of all this. The struggle for justice and truth has enabled Türkiye to develop and grow into a regional and global player, keeping global forms of exploitation at bay."
Head of Communications Altun highlighted that today, Türkiye is once again engaged in a struggle for justice and truth under President Erdoğan's leadership, this time on the world stage, and recalled that Israel has been perpetrating genocide against the Palestinian people in full view of the world since October 7, 2023. Head of Communications Altun remarked that Western governments and mainstream media have regrettably buried their heads in the sand in the face of this genocide, saying:
"Far from halting Israel, they are seeking to encourage it, fabricating excuses to justify it. While the Israeli genocide machine and its accomplices continue to commit these crimes, our President is working tirelessly on international platforms and in meetings with world leaders to unequivocally put an end to this massacre and genocide and help heal the wounds of the oppressed. He asserts live on broadcast to Western leaders, ‘We do not bear a historical disgrace such as genocide as you do.’ 'The world is bigger than five,' he proclaims from the UN rostrum, urging that 'a fairer world is possible.' Concerning Palestine, he asks, 'The United Nations Security Council! What are you waiting for to prevent the genocide in Gaza and to say 'stop' to this cruelty, this barbarism?'"
Head of Communication Altun said that because of this, people in all oppressed parts of the world wrote poetry and prayed for President Erdoğan and added:
"Our President is also taking an unflinching and courageous stand against anti-migrant and discriminatory policies around the world. Far from populism and political opportunism, he urges the entire globe to stand with the oppressed. He is fighting alone in a fierce battle against those who seek to transform anti-migrant sentiment into political capital. He is striving to ensure that all human beings, regardless of religion, nationality, race, or ethnicity, have equal opportunities and rights. That is why he emerges as the only leader capable of slamming the heartbreaking photo of the Aylan baby in the faces of those guilty of the situation. He is unmasking them, teaching a lesson about humanity."
Head of Communications Altun said that in the face of systemic crisis brought on by catastrophes like war, climate change, and pandemics that threaten mankind as a whole, Türkiye shines out as a brilliant sun and a beacon of hope thanks to the bravery and fortitude offered by this humanitarian and Islamic position, adding, "Our President stands as a bulwark against the dark waves created by malicious lobbies, combating the moral and social distortions that threaten the very fabric of humanity and our families. Our President also places the struggle for truth and justice at the heart of our foreign policy, guided by a robust strategic framework. Türkiye, a country whose core motto is justice and truth and whose main purpose is peace and stability for all, serves as a compass in the world's systemic crisis."
Head of Communications Altun emphasised that the current age is one of communication, even a digital one and that this age, in which they anticipate seeing more genuine communication and interaction between societies, has sadly become the age of lies and disinformation.
"As Türkiye, we are more confident than ever in meeting today's challenges"
Noting that the injustice in global power relations in this era is reproducing itself in the global media sector, the Head of Communications, Altun, said, "Dear President, in line with your vision of building a fairer world, we are fighting for a fair global media and communication ecosystem. As Türkiye, praise be to Allah; we are more confident than ever in meeting today's challenges. Our people's dynamism helps us to quickly adapt to new technological advancements and innovative answers to newly arising issues."
Head of Communications Altun stated that national technology initiatives supported by significant public and private investments in areas such as artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles, space research, and technology studies are also increasingly manifesting themselves in the field of communication and that they continue to invest heavily in initiatives to improve media literacy and prevent disinformation on social media. Stating that they promoted the production of real news and information from the field and systematically fought against disinformation and black propaganda activities both nationally and internationally, Head of Communications Altun said, "We believe that a fairer, more prosperous, more democratic international system is only possible through the construction of a more healthy communication ecosystem. In a world on the verge of tremendous upheavals, handling crises and transformation necessitates a broad political vision as well as resilient and decisive political leadership. Dear President, under your vision and leadership, Türkiye has the will and capability to manage these challenges in all areas, particularly communication. This forum is one of the tangible manifestations of this powerful will."
Head of Communications Altun expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to the organisation of the Forum and hoped that the ideas, solutions, and collaborations born here would inspire new and fair global initiatives in communication and diplomacy, thereby contributing to the creation of a more peaceful and prosperous world.
