Turkey’s Communications Director has strongly criticized Reuters for disseminating unfounded allegations about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s son, accusing the news agency of spreading disinformation.
Fahrettin Altun, on behalf of the Communications Directorate, denounced the baseless claims against Bilal Erdogan and highlighted that Reuters was unable to independently verify whether President Erdogan and his son had any knowledge of or involvement in an alleged kickback scheme by a Swedish firm.
Altun described the report as a “disinformation product” that contradicted itself and lacked adherence to basic journalistic standards.
He quoted a section from the article where Reuters stated that no kickbacks were paid, according to a complaint submitted to authorities by an individual.
Additionally, Altun pointed out that the Swedish company, Dignita Systems AB, had abandoned the project without any evidence of wrongdoing, according to sources familiar with the matter and company communications seen by Reuters.
Altun further emphasized that the timing of the article, published just before a NATO leaders’ summit in Lithuania, raised questions. He stated that the tendentious news seemed directed by anti-Turkey lobbies and aimed to exert pressure on the country.
Altun reaffirmed Turkey’s principled stance, asserting that such biased news would not undermine their position. He condemned Reuters for promoting false news, highlighting the importance of combating disinformation globally.
The Communications Directorate, led by Altun, has taken significant measures to combat disinformation, including establishing a dedicated unit within the directorate and regularly releasing a “disinformation bulletin.”
Special Report: US, Swedish prosecutors study graft complaint naming son of Turkey's Erdogan https://t.co/uiHNk2rzrz pic.twitter.com/olTHbeIBvD
— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) June 26, 2023
– Taking lead from TRT World
