Do you trust the internet? Of course, we all have gotten used to the constant flow of ‘news’ being sent straight to a mobile device near us. Yet not every blogger is intent on disseminating the truth, and not every influencer is objective about which opinion – or shall I rather say product – she or he promotes.
The Directorate of Communications of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye recently held a mega-event with well over 1000 participants in Istanbul, ‘Stratcom 2023’ – at stake: hybrid threats and indeed, how to counter fake news. But what was really amazing was the overarching understanding of that whilst complaining about too many ill-fated, or outright malicious postings is one thing, coming up with solutions in a sense of how to combat those tendencies an altogether more complicated matter.
Enter ‘stratcom’ or spelled out, strategic communications. What at first inspection might sound like an overly academic exercise soon becomes something absolutely viable, and vital for all of us, you, me, your friends, colleagues and anyone and everyone in-between.
The way we communicate
There are two facets linked to the spread of fake news. On the one hand and due to the sensationally high number of ‘clicks’ and ‘hits’ and ‘likes’ we engage in on a daily basis chances are we run out of time to fact-check ourselves. Once a fellow internet user posts something which sounds right so to speak, we are up for grabs; up for grabs to give that poster our thumbs up. The more thumbs up that individual gets the more people will actually believe in its assumed correctness. It is a kind of a vicious cycle – imagine that particular post or piece of news – if news is the appropriate terminology in the first place – embarks on a cyberspace journey of its own, with no options to any further verify its accuracy unless we are either experts in that very subject, or the message is beyond any doubt ‘truth’ – think a quote from Encyclopedia Britannica or other globally renowned sources.
On the other hand, however, there is much more to it than simply forgetting to do proper research before posting something on the world wide web – recently the internet has become a forum for hate speech and outright slander, too. The choice of words often lacks any decency and what is even more troubling is the young age of many of those verbal online abusers.
Which brings me to an intertwined issue – is it not correct to say that the way we communicate is key to a harmonious living side by side, living next and with each other on our wonderful, shared planet? So how come that hate speech, intended disinformation and fake news are topping our agenda of unwanted attention? Please let me explain.
The institution of the family key
Türkiye is probably the world’s best nation to realize, and thus cherish the importance of family life. It may be a cliché for sure, but your friendly columnist recalls one incident up North in Scotland from many decades ago whilst attending a local High School as part of a European exchange project. Us having the benefit of attending classes yet at the same time visiting local sights or civil society organisations during class time – and there he was: a young boy with his school uniform roaming the streets in view down from the castle. He seemed perfectly fit, actually in no worries at all – simply not where he was supposed to be mid-morning, that is at his school. With all due modesty I remember speaking with my teacher at the time and we both said, well, something must be wrong at that boy’s home. It was the first time my otherwise amazingly positive encounter with what soon became my home, Britain, which made me pause in my enthusiasm – is family life on the brink of collapse perhaps? And yes, now you have got me – a journalistic oversimplification. It took me many years, having relocated to Türkiye from the United Kingdom early this Millennium, to once again remember this Central Region of Scotland memory. With own daughter proudly in tow, would she be another ‘one morning drop out’ without teachers or parents even bothering? No parent is perfect, me for sure not even close, but we try. In a nutshell – as the Turkish societal norms require etiquette and adhering to universal norms disobeying both school and parents and hanging around in a street or park during school time is a no go.
How do we manage to instil this logic into our youngsters? By speaking with them. In other words – by engaging in frank yet polite and fair conversation. In a nutshell- the art of communication!
This Scottish episode occurred long before the advent of 24 / 7 internet news and messages but is so relevant until this late November morning. Hate speech and fake news are on the rise everywhere as those who spread those lies never learned how to engage in objective, two-ways communication. They were probably left alone in their study or bedrooms without parental insight or control looking into their little screens for hours, if not entire days or nights. This leads to isolation from the real world, from reality. This leads to no longer being able to actually talk with someone. If then schools simply shrug it all off and re-place all responsibility onto parent’s – a recipe for disaster.
How will the internet be managed ten years from today?
The world wide web is here to stay for good, and it offers previously unheard of positive forms of global communication, of staying connected regardless of education or purchasing power. But is has turned sour up to a certain extent – the topic of this year’s last contribution. We can change it however – together. And regional and national media play such an important role in this joint venture as traditional media employs trained journalists who know how to distinguish fiction from facts.
May I wish you All Very Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy, Wonderful, Exciting New Year 2024 – see you on these pages soon again.ca
