25.03.2025 13:30
The Head of Communications, Fahrettin Altun, stated that the public has recently been targeted for manipulation, particularly through digital platforms, and emphasized the importance of being aware of disinformation. Altun said, "We can never accept the efforts of some individuals to place themselves in a privileged position before justice through various perception games, distorted narratives, fake documents, or manipulative videos."
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Communications Director Fahrettin Altun spoke at the "Turkey's Mobilization Against Addictions in the 21st Century" panel. Referring to the protests that began with the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and continued with his arrest, Altun stated that there was an attempt to manipulate public opinion through digital platforms during this process.
"IT BLURS INDIVIDUALS' RELATIONSHIPS WITH REAL LIFE"
Fahrettin Altun said, "Being excessively exposed to digital platforms not only blurs individuals' relationships with real life but also means that they are subjected to systematic disinformation and deception campaigns. This situation lays the groundwork for a process that undermines social peace, deepens polarization, and fuels hate speech."
"PREPARING GROUND FOR STREET VIOLENCE IS IRRESPONSIBLE"
Responding to CHP Chairman Özgür Özel's call to the streets following Ekrem İmamoğlu's detention, Altun stated, "Recently, we have seen a very clear and evident example of this situation in the context of the corruption investigation that has started in Istanbul. We are faced with a corruption investigation conducted by an independent judiciary and serious allegations that have come to the fore within this investigation. We are encountering a malicious effort to politicize the judicial process, to turn an ongoing case into a subject of political contention, and instead of addressing the serious allegations at hand, to target our esteemed President and accuse our government. To put it very clearly, preparing the ground for vandalism and street violence with the aim of obstructing an ongoing legal process and obtaining political gain is, at the very least, irresponsible; it disrupts public order and undermines the environment of social peace and tranquility. This legitimate political ground is guaranteed by the constitution. Manipulating the streets with irresponsible and provocative calls against the institutions of the state, promoting vandalism, violence, and lawlessness is unacceptable. Such calls are an obvious attempt to interfere with judicial processes. It is not a quest for justice, but an effort to exert pressure above the law."
"WE ARE FACING A MENTALITY THAT SEES DIGITAL PLATFORMS AS CENTERS OF CHAOS PRODUCTION"
Altun stated, "As in the past, we are sadly observing that various extremists, affiliated with or sympathetic to terrorist organizations and radical groups, are trying to mobilize following these street calls today. In all these processes, we are confronted with a mentality that sees digital platforms and social media as a battleground, a center for chaos production, and a tool for creating social unrest. Unfortunately, during this process, we are also facing an intense bombardment of disinformation and systematic campaigns of lies. It is clearly evident that in recent times, there has been an attempt to manipulate public opinion, especially through digital platforms, with news that has no relation to reality, manipulative content, and deliberate distortions. We know that some of these disinformation sources are foreign-based."
"THE AIM OF DIRTY CAMPAIGNS IS TO INCITE OUR PEOPLE AGAINST THE STATE"
Highlighting the importance of accurate information in digital platforms, Altun noted that they are working 24/7 with the Disinformation Combat Center. Altun stated, "The aim of these dirty campaigns is not only to mislead the public but also to incite our people against the state, its institutions, and the justice system. We can never accept the effort of some individuals to place themselves in a privileged position before justice through various perception games, distorted statements, fake documents, or manipulative videos. In this context, our state is on alert with all its institutions."
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