Türkiye’s Communications Directorate on Thursday hosted the “Turkic States Forum on Combating Disinformation” panel in the capital, Ankara, with the participation of representatives from several Turkic states. The forum focused on the growing challenges posed by disinformation and the need for joint strategies to counter it.
Speaking at the panel, Javid Musayev, head of Azerbaijan’s Communication Policy Sector within the Department for Work with NGOs and Communication, emphasized that information security is a fundamental component of national security. Drawing on Azerbaijan’s experience during the Second Karabakh War, Musayev underlined the critical importance of combating disinformation in times of conflict and crisis.
Zarina Kalmuratova, chief specialist at Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Culture, Information, Youth and Sports Policy, highlighted the role of media literacy in addressing the issue. She noted that social media platforms enable the rapid spread of both accurate and inaccurate information, making public awareness and critical thinking increasingly important.
Fehmi Gurdalli, general manager of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’s state-run news agency TAK, warned that disinformation and organized fake news have made societies more vulnerable to provocation, particularly during periods of instability. He stressed that disinformation should not be understood solely as false or fabricated news, adding that news blackouts also constitute a form of disinformation.
The panel concluded with a question-and-answer session, allowing participants to exchange views and share perspectives on practical measures to counter disinformation.
On the sidelines of the event, Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran met with Omer Kocaman, deputy secretary general of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). According to Duran, the meeting focused on strengthening institutional solidarity in the fight against disinformation within the OTS framework, developing common communication strategies and establishing sustainable mechanisms for media cooperation across the Turkic world.
Source: Newstimehub
