Digital transformation and disinformation risks discussed in Turkey

Abdulkadir Çay, General Manager of the Press Advertising Agency (BİK), addressed students at Istanbul University regarding the impact of digital transformation and the global rise of disinformation. Çay highlighted that disinformation has become one of the most significant global risks, leading to decreased trust in news and an increasing tendency for audiences to avoid news altogether.

During his presentation, Çay discussed the role of artificial intelligence in creating fake audio and visual content to manipulate public opinion. He noted that while these technological threats exist, they also present opportunities for traditional media to meet the growing demand for reliable news sources.

Regarding the economic landscape of the Turkish press, Çay reported that as of September 2026, the total value of official advertisements and advertising distributed to 2,359 periodicals reached 6 billion lira. Additionally, support provided to press workers, loans to newspapers, and aid to press associations and minority newspapers totaled 175 million lira.