Assoc Prof Oğuz Göksu, Head of the Department of Press and Publications of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications and TRT Board Member, delivered the opening address at the Turkic World Columnists Symposium organised by our Directorate and stated that Turkic states should find answers to the questions about ensuring cooperation and coordination in the field of media and communication.
Göksu continued by stating that disinformation and black propaganda are the common problems of the Turkic world:
As frequently emphasised by the Director of Communications, Prof Fahrettin Altun, truth advocacy is our top priority in today's media system. As the Republic of Türkiye, we are engaged in a domestic and international struggle for truth. A media language has emerged in which false news and distorted information are rapidly disseminated, discrediting operations are conducted, and sensationalism, violence, and insults are emphasised with the goal of gaining more clicks. In this era, we must strive to disseminate accurate and trustworthy information. We are fighting not only for ourselves but also for our brotherly countries and all oppressed regions whose voices cannot be heard."
Göksu emphasised that they fought alongside friendly and brotherly nations during the liberation of Karabakh and stated that they are assisting Azerbaijan in the field of communication and information in order to promote the country's just cause and disseminate accurate information and facts rather than lies.
During this process, where disinformation efforts were concentrated, Göksu stated that they revealed the truth against lies, dirty information, and distorted news and told the world the truth. He also noted that the battle on the ground was accompanied by a battle in the field of communication and media for 44 days and that a joint battle against disinformation was waged.
Göksu emphasised that Türkiye is one of the nations most exposed to perception management operations and disinformation, a fact that is consistent with global reports.
"We should conduct strategic communication studies and expand our efforts in the field of media and communication"
Assoc Prof Oğuz Göksu stated that they see the fight against disinformation as part of national security and that strategic communication is a process that should be handled at an international level, and said:
"Perception management operations against our countries and disinformation campaigns are common battlegrounds for all of us. We must recognise that as cooperation among the members of the Turkic world grows and as our brotherly ties strengthen, we will face more disinformation and black propaganda. We must work together to combat perception management operations against our country, as well as digital fascism and cyber imperialism, and to strive for accurate information and the truth. We should benefit from each other's experiences, conduct strategic communication studies, and expand our efforts in the field of media and communication."
The role of the media in the fight against Islamophobia
Noting that hate speech and Islamophobia are among the issues they face as the Turkic world, Göksu stated that while battling Islamophobia, they consider diversity an asset and provide an example to the rest of the world with a culture of living together.
Recalling that the International Day to Combat Islamophobia was announced on March 15 following the terrorist assault on Muslims in New Zealand, Göksu emphasised that this is a key threshold in terms of demonstrating the scope and extent of the fight against Islamophobia.
Göksu stated that the media has an undeniable role in the spread of anti-Islamism, saying, "The media's irresponsible attitude towards Muslims and provocative news policies, particularly the news stories produced by agencies funded by different countries, fuel hostility towards Muslims and lead to discrimination against Muslims. As part of this effort, Turkic states and members of the media should place a high priority on this issue."
"International cooperation is needed to continue the fight against disinformation"
Assoc Prof Oğuz Göksu noted that the Directorate of Communications has established a centre for combating disinformation, adding, "The fight against disinformation, which began in our country, needs to be continued with international cooperation. We must treat each platform on social media as a front. We must be present on all platforms and disseminate correct information and the truth. Without tiring, we must convey to various audiences the political, social, cultural, economic, and technological advances made by our state. Otherwise, we are well aware that there are international media organisations that are more eager to tell the world about us than we are."
According to Göksu, in the framework of perception management, what search engines, foreign news networks, influencers, and celebrities say about those countries is just as important as how such countries describe themselves.
"Social media platforms feed on turmoil and crisis"
Göksu stated that the starting point of social media platforms is to promote freedom of expression and said, "However, at this point, they see in themselves the power to suspend the Twitter account of even the incumbent American President. In this regard, social media platforms regrettably feed on turmoil and crisis rather than freedom, in a setting where arbitrariness can be illegal, groups can commit injustice, and anyone can defame others using fake accounts."
Göksu said that TRT Avaz has determined the geographies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan as its priority broadcasting area, adding, "We can say that TRT Avaz has undertaken an important mission in the context of establishing the cultural power of the Turkic world in response to the Western hegemony and its strong ontological presence in the media. Another significant step in our country's history is the Anadolu Agency, which was founded during the War of Independence under the direction of Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It serves its news to the world using its hundred years of experience. As an alternative to Western news sources, it distributes its news in thirteen languages around the world."
Göksu stated that Turkish TV series have surpassed Bollywood to rank second behind Hollywood and that this is a crucial civil initiative in terms of exporting culture and conveying the lifestyle to the world.
