The 4th Meeting of the Ministers and High Officials in charge of Media and Information of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was co-hosted by the Director of Communications of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Prof. Fahrettin Altun and the Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States H.E. Baghdad Amreyev on 14 May 2022 in Istanbul, Türkiye.
The meeting was moderated by H.E. Baghdad Amreyev and attended by the Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration, H.E. Mr. Hikmat Hajiyev, Minister of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Askar Umarov, Head of Information Policy Department of the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. Salkyn Sarnogoeva, Director of the Agency of Information and Mass Communications under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Asadjon Khodjaev, State Secretary for Security Policy of Hungary, H.E. Mr. Peter Sztaray and Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Türkiye, H.E. Ishankuli Amanlyev.
President of Türkiye, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a video message to the Meeting. In the video message, H.E. Erdoğan underlined that media and information is a strategic sphere similar to security, health and defense and increasing cooperation among the Member and Observer States in the fight against disinformation and fake news is crucial as was seen during the Karabakh war.
President Erdoğan stressed that the countries wage war not only in the field but also in the media sphere, to this end struggle against the manipulation of true news needs to be conducted with a comprehensive strategy among the Member and Observer States.
In his opening speech, Secretary General Baghdad Amreyev highlighted the importance of Media and Information as well as the growing influence of social media and new media tools and emphasized that OTS shows every effort to increase cooperation and coordination among the members and Observer States.
Secretary General noted that in the upcoming period, projects such as preparing joint TV news and programs, exchange programs for the media professionals, deepening the cooperation among the public and private broadcasters, establishing the Turkic News Agencies Union, forming the “Association of Journalists of the Organization of Turkic States" as well as organizing the International Media Forum on an annual basis are our agenda.
Director of Communications Prof. Fahrettin Altun stated, that the latest developments that have taken place in and around the Turkic geography in recent years have once again revealed how necessary and vital the Turkic unity is.
Evaluating that the media, communication and information field as one of the important pillars of the OTS, H.E. Altun underlined the importance of acting together in the fight against disinformation by using the necessary tools, as well as the exchange of experience and providing training programs to share the best practices with each other. H.E. Altun expressed that the Turkish Communication Model could be carried out to the scale of the Turkic world and to this end, they share and will continue to increase institutional capacity, legislative know-how and practical experience with Member and Observer States.
Assistant of the President Hikmet Hajiyev pointed out that information and media is one of the important cooperation areas among the Member States; referring to the decisions of the last Istanbul Summit and “Turkic World Vision – 2040”, he underscored that the tasks set by our leaders contribute not only to the deepening of cooperation but also to the spiritual rapprochement of our peoples.
Hikmet Hajiyev stated that from the first days of Azerbaijan's independence, they have been subjected to disinformation and false news propaganda attacks, especially in the 44-day Karabakh war, Azerbaijan was faced with all the elements of a hybrid, psychological war. In this regard, he stressed the importance of developing cooperation in this field with the fraternal countries through exchange of experience as well as training of the media professionals.
H.E. Mr. Askar Umarov underlined the need to develop and implement specific projects to continue working in social networks and emphasized the necessity for better cooperation in the fight against fake news and manipulation.
Minister Umarov emphasized the importance of technical exchange of experience among the journalists of the OTS Member and Observer States and referred to the projects such as the creation of a joint cinema platform, an online animation school along with the development of animated and video content for children.
Director Asadjon Khodjaev stressed that protecting society from fake news is becoming increasingly important as it is difficult to select true information and requires further scrutiny. In particular, taking into account the need for time to stop the fake information, messages, photos, and videos in the virtual world, the Uzbek side launched www.antifake.uz information channel.
He also put emphasis on increasing cooperation among the National News Agencies as well as press secretaries of the Member States which will include joint training courses, organizing visits of journalists to the media centers, as well as countering information threats, etc.
Ms. Salkyn Sarnogoeva pointed out the importance and benefits of cooperation in the framework of the OTS, noting that the place of the OTS in the global information space is noticeably strengthened, many projects have been carried out in the economic and cultural spheres, the scope of activities continues to expand on a wider range of issues, including media and information security, the quality of relations among the Member States has significantly risen to a new international level.
In relation to the intensification of information attacks in the world and the mass distribution of fake news, she highlighted that the Kyrgyz side is ready to exchange its experience and knowledge in the fight against fake information and share successful experience in monitoring TV broadcasts and Internet space.
State Secretary Sztaray stressed that the world is passing through turbulent time and in such environment increasing cooperation in the filed of media and information bears importance.
H.E. Sztaray further noted that following the elections held last month, Hungary will continue to deepen cooperation in every field including media and information with the OTS Member States.
Ambassador Amanlyev stated those developing relations with the Member States of the OTS constituted one of the important pillars of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy and Turkmenistan will continue to attend the different meetings and events of the OTS.
H.E. Amanlyev underlined the importance of national media outlets to preserve the national values, increase the level of culture and announce the achievements.
At the end of the meeting, the high level participants agreed to hold the International Media Forum annually, organize training and exchange programs for media professionals in order to ensure exchange of experience, strengthen cooperation in the joint fights against fake news and disinformation, conducting monthly joint television programs and further increase the number of video productions in digital media. The Heads of Delegation further discussed the establishment of an International Turkic News Channel, increasing the capacity and quality of visual exchange between national broadcasters, creating of the common association of journalists and arranging joint training of the spokespersons and press advisors of the official institutions of the Member and Observer States.
Following the meeting, Secretary General Baghdad Amreyev and the Heads of Delegation attended the press conference and shared their views regarding the outcomes of the Meeting and prospective cooperation opportunities.
In the margins of the Meeting, thematic panel sessions were held with the different thematic sessions titled “The Rising Power of Public Diplomacy in The Turkic World: Series-Film Sector”, “The Digital Future of The Turkic World: Metaverse”, “Possibilities for Cooperation in Public Broadcasting in Light of the Turkic World's Common Future Vision” and “Combating Disinformation in The Post-Truth Era” and attended by prominent officials and experts of the Turkic World such as the President of the International Turkic Academy, Prof. Darkhan Kydyrali, Dean of the Faculty of Communication of Baku State University, Assoc. Prof. Vugar Aliyev, KTRK Vice Director, Mr. Ilhamzhan Ibragimov, Deputy General Director of Public Broadcasting Corporation of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Ulanbek Satiyev, Deputy Director General of Uzbekistan National News Agency, Mr. Sabir Shukurov, TRT AVAZ General Coordinator, Mr. Sedat Sağırkaya and others.
The meeting was moderated by H.E. Baghdad Amreyev and attended by the Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration, H.E. Mr. Hikmat Hajiyev, Minister of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Askar Umarov, Head of Information Policy Department of the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. Salkyn Sarnogoeva, Director of the Agency of Information and Mass Communications under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Asadjon Khodjaev, State Secretary for Security Policy of Hungary, H.E. Mr. Peter Sztaray and Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Türkiye, H.E. Ishankuli Amanlyev.
President of Türkiye, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a video message to the Meeting. In the video message, H.E. Erdoğan underlined that media and information is a strategic sphere similar to security, health and defense and increasing cooperation among the Member and Observer States in the fight against disinformation and fake news is crucial as was seen during the Karabakh war.
President Erdoğan stressed that the countries wage war not only in the field but also in the media sphere, to this end struggle against the manipulation of true news needs to be conducted with a comprehensive strategy among the Member and Observer States.
In his opening speech, Secretary General Baghdad Amreyev highlighted the importance of Media and Information as well as the growing influence of social media and new media tools and emphasized that OTS shows every effort to increase cooperation and coordination among the members and Observer States.
Secretary General noted that in the upcoming period, projects such as preparing joint TV news and programs, exchange programs for the media professionals, deepening the cooperation among the public and private broadcasters, establishing the Turkic News Agencies Union, forming the “Association of Journalists of the Organization of Turkic States" as well as organizing the International Media Forum on an annual basis are our agenda.
Director of Communications Prof. Fahrettin Altun stated, that the latest developments that have taken place in and around the Turkic geography in recent years have once again revealed how necessary and vital the Turkic unity is.
Evaluating that the media, communication and information field as one of the important pillars of the OTS, H.E. Altun underlined the importance of acting together in the fight against disinformation by using the necessary tools, as well as the exchange of experience and providing training programs to share the best practices with each other. H.E. Altun expressed that the Turkish Communication Model could be carried out to the scale of the Turkic world and to this end, they share and will continue to increase institutional capacity, legislative know-how and practical experience with Member and Observer States.
Assistant of the President Hikmet Hajiyev pointed out that information and media is one of the important cooperation areas among the Member States; referring to the decisions of the last Istanbul Summit and “Turkic World Vision – 2040”, he underscored that the tasks set by our leaders contribute not only to the deepening of cooperation but also to the spiritual rapprochement of our peoples.
Hikmet Hajiyev stated that from the first days of Azerbaijan's independence, they have been subjected to disinformation and false news propaganda attacks, especially in the 44-day Karabakh war, Azerbaijan was faced with all the elements of a hybrid, psychological war. In this regard, he stressed the importance of developing cooperation in this field with the fraternal countries through exchange of experience as well as training of the media professionals.
H.E. Mr. Askar Umarov underlined the need to develop and implement specific projects to continue working in social networks and emphasized the necessity for better cooperation in the fight against fake news and manipulation.
Minister Umarov emphasized the importance of technical exchange of experience among the journalists of the OTS Member and Observer States and referred to the projects such as the creation of a joint cinema platform, an online animation school along with the development of animated and video content for children.
Director Asadjon Khodjaev stressed that protecting society from fake news is becoming increasingly important as it is difficult to select true information and requires further scrutiny. In particular, taking into account the need for time to stop the fake information, messages, photos, and videos in the virtual world, the Uzbek side launched www.antifake.uz information channel.
He also put emphasis on increasing cooperation among the National News Agencies as well as press secretaries of the Member States which will include joint training courses, organizing visits of journalists to the media centers, as well as countering information threats, etc.
Ms. Salkyn Sarnogoeva pointed out the importance and benefits of cooperation in the framework of the OTS, noting that the place of the OTS in the global information space is noticeably strengthened, many projects have been carried out in the economic and cultural spheres, the scope of activities continues to expand on a wider range of issues, including media and information security, the quality of relations among the Member States has significantly risen to a new international level.
In relation to the intensification of information attacks in the world and the mass distribution of fake news, she highlighted that the Kyrgyz side is ready to exchange its experience and knowledge in the fight against fake information and share successful experience in monitoring TV broadcasts and Internet space.
State Secretary Sztaray stressed that the world is passing through turbulent time and in such environment increasing cooperation in the filed of media and information bears importance.
H.E. Sztaray further noted that following the elections held last month, Hungary will continue to deepen cooperation in every field including media and information with the OTS Member States.
Ambassador Amanlyev stated those developing relations with the Member States of the OTS constituted one of the important pillars of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy and Turkmenistan will continue to attend the different meetings and events of the OTS.
H.E. Amanlyev underlined the importance of national media outlets to preserve the national values, increase the level of culture and announce the achievements.
At the end of the meeting, the high level participants agreed to hold the International Media Forum annually, organize training and exchange programs for media professionals in order to ensure exchange of experience, strengthen cooperation in the joint fights against fake news and disinformation, conducting monthly joint television programs and further increase the number of video productions in digital media. The Heads of Delegation further discussed the establishment of an International Turkic News Channel, increasing the capacity and quality of visual exchange between national broadcasters, creating of the common association of journalists and arranging joint training of the spokespersons and press advisors of the official institutions of the Member and Observer States.
Following the meeting, Secretary General Baghdad Amreyev and the Heads of Delegation attended the press conference and shared their views regarding the outcomes of the Meeting and prospective cooperation opportunities.
In the margins of the Meeting, thematic panel sessions were held with the different thematic sessions titled “The Rising Power of Public Diplomacy in The Turkic World: Series-Film Sector”, “The Digital Future of The Turkic World: Metaverse”, “Possibilities for Cooperation in Public Broadcasting in Light of the Turkic World's Common Future Vision” and “Combating Disinformation in The Post-Truth Era” and attended by prominent officials and experts of the Turkic World such as the President of the International Turkic Academy, Prof. Darkhan Kydyrali, Dean of the Faculty of Communication of Baku State University, Assoc. Prof. Vugar Aliyev, KTRK Vice Director, Mr. Ilhamzhan Ibragimov, Deputy General Director of Public Broadcasting Corporation of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Ulanbek Satiyev, Deputy Director General of Uzbekistan National News Agency, Mr. Sabir Shukurov, TRT AVAZ General Coordinator, Mr. Sedat Sağırkaya and others.
