Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has described the fight against disinformation as a matter of national security, warning that the spread of false information poses a growing threat to democracy, social cohesion, and public trust.

Erdoğan made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2nd Communications Council, organized by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications in Ankara. The event brought together government officials, media representatives, academics, communication experts, and policymakers to discuss the evolving challenges facing the global information environment.

In his speech, Erdoğan stressed that the rapid development of digital technologies and social media has transformed disinformation into a powerful tool capable of influencing public opinion, fueling polarization, and undermining confidence in democratic institutions.

"We regard combating disinformation in all its forms as a matter of national security in terms of our country, democracy and social peace," Erdoğan said.

He noted that disinformation is no longer limited to the dissemination of inaccurate or misleading information but has evolved into what he described as an "asymmetric threat" that weakens societies from within.

"Disinformation has today gone beyond merely spreading false information, and has turned into an asymmetric factor that weakens societies' sense of unity and trust, and that threatens democracies," the president said.

Erdoğan emphasized that protecting citizens' access to accurate and reliable information is essential for preserving democratic processes and maintaining social stability. He said governments, media organizations, technology companies, and civil society all have a responsibility to counter the deliberate spread of false narratives while promoting ethical and responsible communication.

The Turkish president reaffirmed his government's commitment to intensifying efforts against disinformation, stating that the issue has become increasingly critical in an era marked by hybrid threats, digital manipulation, and information warfare.

"With this understanding, we will determinedly continue our fight against disinformation in line with the vital importance of the matter," he said.

Erdoğan also highlighted the role of strategic communication in addressing crises, safeguarding national interests, and ensuring that accurate information reaches the public promptly. He stressed that strengthening media literacy and raising public awareness are key components of Türkiye's broader strategy to build resilience against misinformation and manipulation.

The 2nd Communications Council serves as a platform for discussing developments in media, digital communication, artificial intelligence, public diplomacy, and strategic communications, with participants exchanging views on the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly changing global information landscape. (ILKHA)