Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) organized a commemoration program on the 10th anniversary of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.
The program started with the speech of RTÜK President Mehmet Daniş in the Conference Hall. Board Members Orhan Özdemir, Necdet İpekyüz, Ahmet Can Buğday, İlhan Taşcı, RTÜK Vice President Dr. Deniz Güler, Department Heads, Vice Presidents and Board staff attended.
Speaking in the program, RTÜK President Mehmet Daniş stated that July 15 was not only a date when the treacherous coup attempt was prevented, but also a historical turning point in which the nation claimed its will, and said, "Dear colleagues, I greet you with my most heartfelt feelings, respect and affection. Today, we are on the 10th anniversary of that great light that came after Türkiye's longest and darkest night, our Democracy and National Unity Day. July 15 was not only a treacherous day. "July 15 is not the date when the coup attempt was prevented; it is the name of a glorious resistance in which our nation declared to the whole world that its will cannot be shackled and defended its independence and democracy at the expense of its life," he said.
In his speech, Daniş drew attention to the theme of "Our Will, Our Victory" determined by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications this year and said, "This statement is not just a slogan; it is a historical truth that summarizes the spirit of the night of July 15. Our noble nation did not surrender its will to any tutelage center that night, as it has throughout history. This stance is not accidental. It is the one that made the homeland a homeland in Malazgirt, made the people say 'Çanakkale Impassable' and declared Independence." "Whatever the will that brought the war to victory, it is the will that showed the same determination by pouring into the streets, squares and airports on the night of July 15," he said.
The historical role of the media on the night of July 15
Referring to the role played by the media on the night of July 15, Daniş stated that the coup plotters targeted not only the national will but also the communication front and said, "On the night of July 15, the coup traitors tried to take over the national will by force and the communication front by disinformation. The attacks on TRT studios, Türksat campus and our media organizations are the most concrete evidence of this. Because they knew very well that where the truth is silent, the will is weakened, and where the will is weakened, democracy is left breathless. This is exactly why, The struggle between correct information and disinformation has become an integral part of the struggle between democracy and coup. That night, our President's historic call to our nation through television screens was the breaking point of this communication front. The most modest opportunity of technology turned into the greatest challenge in history, and our nation filled the squares with that call. That night, our broadcasting organizations showed a great example of responsibility in the shadow of weapons. The broadcasts that protected our nation's right to receive information played a vital role in the failure of the nation. He carried his courage, voice and will. Therefore, publishing is not just a technical activity, but a strategic responsibility that protects social memory. Therefore, accurate information is an integral part of national security and the truth is our strongest line of defense.
Emphasizing that strong media is the basis of a strong society, Daniş stated that broadcasting should be carried out with an understanding that stands by the truth, keeps national and spiritual values alive, strengthens the family and protects children from harmful content, and said, "Today, communication sovereignty is at least as important as border security. Independence of information is an integral part of national independence. As the Radio and Television Supreme Council, we act with this awareness. Because we know that a strong media is the basis of a strong society, and a strong society is the basis of a strong state. Broadcasting; stands by the truth, keeps our national and spiritual values alive, protects the family. "It should be carried out with an understanding that empowers our children, protects them from harmful content and reinforces our social unity," he said.
At the end of his speech, Daniş commemorated the martyrs of July 15 and the members of the press who lost their lives for the sake of truth with mercy and gratitude, wished a healthy and peaceful life to the hero veterans and said, "May God never let our nation experience such dark nights again. May He make our unity permanent, our state strong, and our democracy strong."
The program ended with a breakfast program where veterans and relatives of martyrs came together after the exhibition tour. - ANKARA