Altun: We consider the fight against disinformation a national duty

During his opening remarks on the “Panel on Accuracy in Journalism during Extraordinary Times in the Context of Media Ethics,” held at the Directorate of Communications Conference Hall, Altun stated that the panel would address the importance of “accuracy in journalism,” and the issues which poison the media and communication environment, especially disinformation, and the suggestions for their elimination.

Altun underlined the importance of the principle of “accuracy,” adding, “News stories must be accurate by definition. If they are not, they cannot be regarded as news. Journalism cannot be based on any grounds other than the truth. If they are not based on the truth but on lies and distortion, such efforts cannot be called journalism. Therefore, accuracy is an indispensable value of the fundamental standards of media ethics and moral principles of the press. Only through truthful journalism can the society’s right to receive information in a thorough and healthy manner be realized.”

Altun emphasized that we frequently encounter instances which do not follow the 5Ws and 1H framework - considered to be essential in a news story - and where the fact-checking mechanisms are not employed, adding:

“We often face this issue under the so-called 'political opposition' label, which is a conscious and systematic effort. Regrettably, when the most basic journalism principles are neglected, nothing but gossip and gossip-mongering come out. We can never speak of news or journalism in such a medium that provides a basis for lies, slanders, and distortions. Gossip and gossip-mongers not only poison the social, political, and democratic spheres but also damage the credibility and reputation of journalism. Such people do not recognize any moral values or professional principles. They, unfortunately, feed on systematic lies, distortions, and disinformation. They operate like a fabrication machine producing the so-called news items at the desk. They are trying to mould society, the political sphere, and the country's agenda with fiction, sensation, and manipulation. It is almost as if they are trying to fit society into their own ideological straitjackets fabricated in their ivory towers. They also resort to insults and attack with pejorative discourse against those who deny being fitted into these straitjackets.

 “This struggle is essential also to protect the reputation of journalism”

Altun stated that fair journalists should first object to, and an all-out struggle should be waged against this problem, which has become a serious threat in terms of media and journalistic ethics, adding, “This struggle is essential not only to keep the social, political and democratic spheres clean but also to protect the reputation of journalism. Upholding ethical values in journalism is critical, especially today, where the flow of information and news has increased, and access has become easier.”

Altun stated that the media has a central role in exercising the right to receive information and news and strengthening democracy and continued, “The media can only fulfil this function through professional productions without compromising ethical principles and moral values. With the systematic application of these principles, the vital role that accurate and reliable journalism plays for democracy would be evident. We must state this clearly and unequivocally. Power demands both strength and a sense of responsibility. When the media uses its power irresponsibly, the result is destructive for social peace and tranquillity, for public order, and, moreover, for the rights of individuals.

Altun pointed out that digitalization, which offers significant opportunities in terms of access to news and information, has also turned into one of the biggest tests of humanity and said, “In the post-truth era we live in, digitalization has brought along a great degeneration in mass communication processes as well as the opportunities it offers. As a matter of fact, one of the most important risks of digital transformation, 'deliberate false information ', i.e. 'disinformation', caused the loss of reality.”

“Türkiye is one of the countries most exposed to deliberate false information, disinformation in the world”

Pointing out that disinformation is recognized more and more as a threat to individual, social, and national security today, Altun said:

“As you are aware, Türkiye is one of the countries most exposed to deliberate false information, and disinformation in the world. The efforts to stop the growth and development Türkiye achieved over the last 20 years are also manifested in the policy of systematic disinformation. Attempts to wear down our country and institutions are carried out with multidimensional attacks in many areas, from politics to the media. If Türkiye had not achieved its current strong position and had not been a reputable regional power and a global actor, it would not have faced systematic disinformation attacks and an attempt at a siege in this regard. Fake news and disinformation are being instrumentalized today to create artificial social polarization and disrupt political stability. Those who tried and failed to mould Türkiye through military coups and economic aggression today try to achieve that end with deliberately false information and disinformation. In this respect, we consider the fight against disinformation a national duty. In this regard, TRT, Anadolu Agency, and our national media outlets are actively engaged in this process and play a role as the main actors of this struggle.”

Altun pointed out that this struggle is tough and requires paying high prices and said, “Because when you expose the lies and reveal the truth, you put a spoke in disruptors’ wheels, and you become their target. Our President's political struggle literally points to such a process. This time, when our President revealed the tricks of the disruptors in the national and international arena and showed their true colors to the whole world, he faced very serious attacks. Throughout his political life, he fought this struggle with honor and succeeded. With the support of his nation, this also paved the way for Türkiye’s growth.”

Stating that a systematic evil that knows no bounds in lies requires a systematic and multifaceted fight, Altun said, “In other words, the truth must be protected no matter what. We are well aware that the truth is the antidote to lies, distortion, and disinformation.”

“It is an honorable fight”

Altun emphasized that the sole purpose of journalism should be the truth and that journalists, who are responsible for informing the public and preserving their right to information, are also representatives of the truth.

Altun pointed out that journalism is a field of “effort and struggle”, saying, “Journalism is the fight for the right, and the truth in a media environment where fake news and information pollution spread swiftly, and campaigns to discredit and defame are conducted mercilessly. It is a difficult but worthwhile and honorable fight. Unfortunately, society and the general public are subjected to media that attempts to portray the truth as worthless, ordinary, and old-fashioned, and rumors as valuable and normal. At this point, the existence of actors who will defend the right and the truth is essential. As our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated, “Conveying the truth to readers and viewers in its simplest form is an essential aspect of journalism.”

Altun said that when it comes to journalism, especially during extraordinary events such as terrorism, war, and natural disasters, globally acknowledged media ethics serve as an “anchor” for journalists. These are also periods when media ethics are put to the test, and the necessity of truthful journalism is felt, Altun continued.

“We have witnessed disinformation capable of costing human lives”

Altun emphasized that they witnessed once again the need for truthful journalism in times of emergency and crisis, as well as the destructive consequences of lies and disinformation, during the disaster of the century in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, and continued:

“Unfortunately, we have witnessed the consequences of producing and disseminating fake news. We have observed the systematic dissemination of false news and disinformation that could disrupt search and rescue efforts and cost human lives. In addition to our efforts to heal the wounds caused by the earthquake, we have also endeavored to reveal the truth regarding news and online posts that contain disinformation. As the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, we have facilitated an accurate, fast, and effective process of informing the public by coordinating across institutions in the field of communication. We see that the lies, information pollution, and disinformation that challenged us during the initial days of the disaster persist today as we begin the reconstruction of the disaster zone. We maintain the same fight against lies and information pollution as we did back then. On the other hand, we continue to support and meet all the needs of press members who report the truth in the earthquake zone; because the presence of the press members on the ground is our most valuable asset for defending the right and the truth.”

Altun stated that it is extremely vital for journalists to adhere to professional principles and ethical rules and said, “The solution to the problems we face in journalism today lies in sensitivity to these principles and rules. Journalists and the media undoubtedly have the greatest responsibility in protecting media ethics. I am convinced that the press members, who uphold media ethics, will continue to be the guarantors of the profession’s prestige and reliability.”

“We have prepared a book titled Accurate Journalism and Media Ethics”

Noting that systematically bringing together the principles in this field and putting them into practice will be a facilitating factor in accurate and reliable journalism, the Director of Communications Altun explained that they have prepared a book titled “Accurate Journalism and Media Ethics” as the Directorate of Communications.

Stressing that the book covers principles compiled and systematized within the framework of international media ethics examples, Altun said: “I wish that this book, which will be presented to you, distinguished participants, will be beneficial for our press community.”

Announcing that they will also present the participants with the book “Rethinking the history of the Turkish press,” Director of Communications Altun expressed appreciation and best wishes for future success to those who helped with the preparation of the works and the organization of the panel as well as to the press who upheld media ethics and did not stray from the truth and the academics who contributed this field advance.

Hoping that the book, Accurate Journalism and Media Ethics, will have a positive impact on those who attempt to sway public opinion using a biased, dogmatic, and aggressive style in the name of journalism, Altun said: “We hope that we can help these people and advance the public interest because the reputation of journalism takes a serious hit from these names, who constantly lie in a dogmatic way under the guise of so-called backstage journalism. We want to remind them, as well as the public, of what constitutes accurate journalism and its principles. We think that by doing this, we will improve Türkiye's democracy, public sphere, and negotiation culture.”

Altun also wished that the panel would contribute to eliminating ethical problems and flaws in the media and that it would benefit the media sector and the participants. (ILKHA)