Gizem Nisa Demir
07 November 2026•Update: 07 November 2026
Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran warned Saturday that technology companies' growing influence on digital platforms poses challenges to media independence, national sovereignty and cultural identity.
Speaking at the TRT World Forum panel titled Who Is in Charge in the Algorithmic Age? Companies, Countries, Citizens, Duran argued that algorithms were increasingly replacing traditional editorial gatekeepers, determining which stories reach audiences and which remain unseen.
"Algorithms are not neutral. Human choices lie behind them, serving commercial and political interests," he said.
He warned that a handful of technology companies could shape public opinion by controlling the information people encounter, while journalists and news organizations struggle to maintain financial independence as digital platforms benefit from their reporting.
"Journalism cannot survive on visibility alone," he said, stressing the need for financial support, independence and strong professional ethics.
Digital sovereignty as a national priority
Duran also raised concerns about the impact of algorithms on collective memory, arguing that younger generations increasingly rely on digital platforms to learn about their countries' histories, cultures and identities.
He described digital sovereignty as a national priority, saying countries must be able to protect their data, preserve their cultural identities and communicate their own narratives internationally.
Outlining three principles for a fairer digital environment, Duran called for accountability, fairness in algorithmic distribution and plurality.
He also criticized the removal and restriction of reporting from Gaza on major digital platforms, citing the deaths and injuries suffered by journalists working for Anadolu and TRT.
Journalists under threat in Gaza
He recalled that Anadolu’s freelance cameraman Muntasar El-Sawaf was killed in an Israeli strike, while TRT Arabic cameraman Sami Shahadeh was seriously injured and lost his right leg while reporting from Gaza.
Duran said such restrictions could prevent documented reporting from reaching international audiences, warning that suppressing factual information could make disinformation more powerful.
"The future must remain in the hands of people, people who are capable of exercising judgment, defending the truth, and accepting responsibility for their choices," he said.
He concluded that algorithms should be guided by human and ethical principles rather than being allowed to determine the direction of the digital world.
