The 11th International Communication Days ended with a round table meeting
Üsküdar University hosted the 11. At the International Communication Days, 250 papers were presented in 50 sessions where the subject of "Digital Inequality and Data Colonialism" was discussed in all aspects.
Prof. Nazife Güngör: "The main thing is not to be afraid of technology, but to make our discussions about technology human-oriented... Yes, artificial intelligence is a device, a phenomenon in itself, but it is a phenomenon with humans behind it."
Advisor to the Rector Prof. Süleyman İrvan stated that "The so-called data does not only consist of digital data."
Assoc. Prof. Gül Esra Atalay stated that "Platforms should be forced to be transparent about their algorithms and advertisements."
Assoc. Prof. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan stated that "The 'click' trap of algorithms excludes the core values of journalism."
Assoc. Prof. Can Ertuna stated that "Those who do journalism without a boss on platforms are unaware that their bosses are digital platforms such as YouTube and that they are addicted to technology."
Assoc. Prof. Can Ertuna stated that "Those who do journalism without a boss on platforms are unaware that their bosses are digital platforms such as YouTube and that they are addicted to technology."
This year, Üsküdar University 11th International Communication Days was held with the main theme of "Digital Inequality and Data Colonialism". During the International Communication Days, 50 sessions were held and 250 papers were presented.
On the 3rd day of the 11th International Communication Days, an online Round Table Session was held. Moderated by Advisor to the Rector Prof. Süleyman İrvan, the session was attended by Journalist Emre Kızılkaya, Journalist Füsun Nebil, Author Ümit Alan, Koç University faculty member Assoc. Prof. Suncem Koçer, Bahçeşehir University faculty member Assoc. Prof. Can Ertuna, Üsküdar University faculty member Assoc. Prof. Gül Esra Atalay, Journalist Dr. Sarphan Uzunoğlu and Üsküdar University faculty member Assoc. Prof. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan.
Prof. Nazife Güngör: "Artificial intelligence is a phenomenon in which there are humans behind it"
Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör evaluated the use of artificial intelligence in the field of journalism and stated that "Whether we like it or not, technological developments continue. Each period of people is with the technology of that time. Concerns, hopes, positive and negative perspectives are all discussed and discussed, which is very normal because a new device is being introduced into human life, of course, this has some transformative effects. If we direct these transformative effects correctly as humanity. They will have a beneficial effect on humanity: however, if they are not planned in a beneficial way, of course, some negativities will emerge. On the other hand, there are actors who hold the power in this regard. To maintain this power, they can use these devices for their own benefit, not for the benefit of society. This is where the real paradox begins. Artificial intelligence is not a device, and something that is intelligent in itself. However, something whose functioning becomes operational with the data given by humans. However, it is necessary to question what data is given, what kind of orchestra this data creates or is intended to create. The main thing is not to be afraid of technology, but to make our discussions about technology human-oriented. Yes, artificial intelligence is a device, a phenomenon in itself, but it is a phenomenon in which there are humans behind it."
Prof. Nazife Güngör: "There is ethics on one side and people on the other"
Pointing out that being good has been talked about in the intellectual world recently, Prof. Nazife Güngör stated that "If something is talked about a lot, it means that there is a problem. It means that humanity is not at a good point. It means that humanity is heading towards a point where evil prevails. In fact, we all must worry and question on behalf of humanity. Not only is something changing in the professional sense, but there is also a worldwide change. The organization of this symposium and the main theme of this year are about this trend and the integration of technology into our lives."
Emphasizing that the subject of artificial intelligence should be included in the curriculum, Prof. Güngör said that it is important that these courses are given properly. Prof. Nazife Güngör continued her remarks as follows:
"We are living through a phase that is both big and very important. We are experiencing very complicated relationships, developments and intertwining. On the one hand, there is the ethical side of the business, on the other hand, there is the human side. I think that both the media and us, academics, need to come together from time to time to question them, put them on the table and deal with them in all their fabrics."
Prof. İrvan: "90 percent of the data we have consists of analogue"
Advisor to the Rector Prof. Süleyman İrvan stated that the process has developed in digital transformation and said that "What is called data does not only consist of digital data. 90 percent of the data we have is analogue."
Stating that the bond between the traditional press and the reader has been broken, Prof. Süleyman İrvan expressed that "The news consumption habits of the readers have changed."
Media companies have created new business models
Journalist Emre Kızılkaya stated that digitalization in journalism varies according to countries, explaining the process of digitalization of newspapers and the establishment of news sites in Türkiye, and noted that media companies have accelerated the creation of new business models with the establishment of Facebook, Google and the spread of smartphones.
Kızılkaya also said that they separated the digital publications of newspapers from the printed publication and gave autonomy to sites with the extension 'com.tr'.
"Politicians do not understand technology, they are too old for technology"
Journalist Füsun Nebil stated that the traditional media in Türkiye did not care about digital for a long time and reminded that the situation is no different in the world, and that the traditional media does not trust digital.
Noting that platforms such as Facebook and Google have no boundaries and that they influence the people politically with their algorithms, Nabil said that politicians in all countries, including Turkey, do not understand technology and remain old.
Emphasizing that journalists and data independence are important for the people, Füsun Nabil stayed that "We are in a difficult period. Newspapers and journalists are the 4th force and a pillar of democracy.”
Nabil stated that "Artificial intelligence is copying what exists. This is a big threat to journalism," and added that there is no one who controls those who develop them and that there is an unregulated development.
"The media has a shortcoming of not being able to produce a niche product"
In his speech, author Ümit Alan stated that traditional media skipped the process in which platforms such as Facebook and YouTube evolved from being social networks to publishers and explained that the platforms gave everyone the opportunity to offer their own niche product with a special user base.
Stating that digital platforms are both broadcasters and do not carry the responsibilities of broadcasters, Alan expressed that "The media still looks traditional. The media has a shortcoming of not being able to produce a niche product. There has never been a media organization experience producing news for Generation Z. When you close the name of the news sites and look at the news they produce, it is not possible to distinguish which is which."
Alan also said that the insistence on quality journalism will win, and that those who learn early to cooperate with artificial intelligence will not be defeated by artificial intelligence.
"Distrust in the media is a global issue"
Koç University faculty member Assoc. Prof. Suncem Koçer stated that there is distrust in the news and newspapers in the society and said that "Distrust in the media is a global issue. The media is the least trusted. It is important how the relationship of users with the news will improve."
"Those who claim to be independent journalists are actually subject to the political stances of the platforms..."
Bahçeşehir University faculty member Assoc. Prof. Can Ertuna pointed out that those who do independent journalism on digital platforms and stated that "Those who do journalism without a boss on the platforms are unaware that their bosses are digital platforms such as YouTube and that they are depended on technology. Technological dependency leads to the loss of independence and autonomy of journalists."
Assoc. Prof. Can Ertuna also stated that journalists are dependent on platforms as equipment and emphasized that those who claim to be independent journalists are actually subject to the political stances of the platforms.
Sensitive journalistic data is available to all world platforms...
Pointing out that there will be a situation of being even more dependent on artificial intelligence applications, Assoc. Prof. Can Ertuna emphasized the risk of using the data determined by the algorithms and the risk of being guided by artificial intelligence.
Assoc. Prof. Can Ertuna also said that sensitive journalism data has become open to all world platforms due to platforms.
Assoc. Prof. Can Ertuna stated that it is necessary to establish contact with digital platforms in order to carry out journalism under equal and fair conditions and emphasized that the issue of issuing a policy document on this issue should be put on the agenda.
Journalism is constantly damaged
Assoc. Prof. Gül Esra Atalay from Üsküdar University stated that the subject of thematic journalism was explained to the students and explained that huge structures such as Google and Facebook act according to what suits their own interests by pressuring both users and journalists.
Assoc. Prof. Gül Esra Atalay stated that "We are talking about giants who constantly disregard journalism for their own benefit. There will be no such thing as news," and she emphasized that journalism is constantly damaged and that states need to take measures for the future of journalism. Assoc. Prof. Gül Esra Atalay expressed that "Platforms should be forced to be transparent about their algorithms and advertisements."
"Generation Z is the generation that should be targeted"
Journalist Dr. Sarphan Uzunoğlu pointed out that there are no target audience-oriented newspapers and said that "Target audience-based journalism should be done in digital. Right now, Gen Z is the generation to target. No newspaper can see that. Generation Z is not the target of any newspaper."
Dr. Sarphan Uzunoğlu also stated that if you want to connect with Generation Z, it is necessary to look at the language used by Netflix and said that Generation Z paid attention to the news during the February 6 earthquake, and now it is aimed to connect with Generation Z due to the Palestinian crisis.
"A sort of digital class division has occurred due to algorithms"
Üsküdar University faculty member Assoc. Prof. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan pointed out that the number of media companies and states that can negotiate with Google is low and said that "Google is bigger than most of them. Therefore, the conditions must be complied with. There is a hierarchical system called 'Googlearchi' in digital. This is a system in which the popular are even more popular, and the rich get richer."
Noting that there is a kind of digital class distinction due to algorithms, Assoc. Prof. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan stated that the 'click' trap of algorithms excludes the basic values of journalism and that the 'familiarity bias' feeds the popular.
Stating that the content produced in accordance with the algorithms of search engines reduces diversity, Assoc. Prof. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan said that diversity is damaged, and technology adversely affects journalism.
Noting that artificial intelligence also carries the risk of plagiarism, Assoc. Prof. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan also stated that artificial intelligence produces false information because there is false information where it is connected.
Closing session
At the closing session of the 11th International Communication Days, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Advisor to the Rector Prof. Süleyman İrvan and Rector of Üsküdar University Prof. Nazife Güngör made speeches by thanking.
Stating that the three-day Communication Days organization was successful, Prof. Süleyman İrvan said that "Many academicians participated, and our students participated. I would like to thank our students who both worked in this organization and followed the sessions. It is an organization that we all succeeded with our faculty members and students. As the chairman of the organizing committee, I would like to thank everyone who supported this process, especially the Rector of Üsküdar University."
"Academics from abroad are happy to be here"
Prof. Nazife Güngör stated that “As Üsküdar University, we have come to the end of the National Communication Days symposium, which we held for the 11th time this year. In this process, a very important part of the communication academics in Türkiye and many well-known communication scientists were with us. Academicians from Türkiye and abroad, who participated in the sessions with their papers, came as listeners and invited speakers, stated that they were very excited and happy to be here."
"Üsküdar University shines with IFIG, IFIG shines from Üsküdar"
Stating that the active participation of the students of the Faculty of Communication was met with excitement by the academicians, Prof. Nazife Güngör said that "This year, students from other universities also joined us to take part in the service part of the symposium. I think that student participation from different universities will increase in the coming years. Communication academics have embraced this symposium very much. It is our pride and the pride of the communication community in Türkiye that it is sustainable and that both quantity and quality continue to increase every year. In the coming years, we want to make this symposium more international by moving it to universities abroad. Üsküdar University shines with IFIG, and IFIG shines from Üsküdar."
At the event, where various aspects of digital inequality and data colonialism are discussed, the abstracts of all the papers to be presented and then the full texts will be published as a book and shared with the public. Moreover, all sessions of the symposium will be archived on the symposium website as video recordings.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)