At the 11th International Communication Days hosted by Üsküdar Üniversitesi, 250 papers were presented across 50 sessions, comprehensively addressing “Digital Inequality and Data Colonialism.”
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “The main point is not to fear technology, but to conduct our discussions about technology in a human-centric way… Yes, artificial intelligence is a device, a phenomenon in itself, but it is a phenomenon with humans behind it."
Rector Advisor Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan: “What is called data does not consist only of digital data.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay: “Platforms should be forced to be transparent about algorithms and advertisements.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan: “Algorithms' 'clickbait' trap excludes the fundamental values of journalism.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Can Ertuna: “Those practicing boss-free journalism on platforms are unaware that their bosses are digital platforms like YouTube and that they are dependent on technology.”
Fifty sessions were held and 250 papers were presented at the 11th International Communication Days, organized this year by Üsküdar Üniversitesi with the main theme of “Digital Inequality and Data Colonialism.”
On the 3rd day of the 11th International Communication Days, an online Round Table Session was held. The session, moderated by Rector Advisor Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan, featured Journalist Emre Kızılkaya, Journalist Füsun Nebil, Author Ümit Alan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suncem Koçer from Koç University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Can Ertuna from Bahçeşehir University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay from Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Journalist Dr. Sarphan Uzunoğlu, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan from Üsküdar Üniversitesi.
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: "Artificial intelligence is a phenomenon with humans behind it"
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör evaluated the use of artificial intelligence in journalism, stating:
"Whether we like it or not, technological developments continue. Every era of human history has been shaped by the technology of that period. Concerns, hopes, positive and negative perspectives are always discussed together, which is very normal. Because a new device is entering human life, and of course, it has certain transformative effects. If we, as humanity, guide these transformative effects correctly, they will have beneficial effects for humanity, but if they are not planned beneficially, certain negativities will undoubtedly emerge. On the other hand, there are actors who hold power in this regard. They can use these devices for their own benefit, not for the benefit of society, to maintain this power. The real paradox begins here.
Artificial intelligence is a device; it is not inherently intelligent. Its operation becomes functional with the data provided by humans. But it is necessary to question which data is given, how this data forms an orchestration, or how it is intended to form one. The main point is not to fear technology, but to conduct our discussions about technology in a human-centric way… Yes, artificial intelligence is a device, a phenomenon in itself, but it is a phenomenon with humans behind it."
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: "On one side, there is ethics; on the other, there is humanity"
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör pointed out that being good has been a topic of discussion in the intellectual world recently, stating, "If something is talked about a lot, it means there is a problem. It means humanity is not in a good place; it means we are heading towards a point where evils dominate. We all must, in fact, worry and question on behalf of humanity. Things are not changing only in a professional sense; there is a global change. The organization of this symposium and this year's main theme are related to this trend and the integration of technology into our lives."
Prof. Dr. Güngör also emphasized that the topic of artificial intelligence should be included in curricula, but stressed the importance of these courses being taught properly. Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör continued:
"We are living through both a major and a very important phase. We are experiencing highly complex relationships, developments, and interdependencies. On one side, there is the ethical aspect; on the other, there is the human aspect. I believe that both the media and we, as academics, need to come together from time to time to question, lay bare, and address these issues in their entirety."
Prof. Dr. İrvan: “90% of the data owned consists of analog data”
Rector Advisor Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan stated that the process in digital transformation is evolving, saying, “What is called data does not consist only of digital data. 90% of the data owned consists of analog data.”
Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan stated that the bond between the traditional press and readers has been broken, adding, “Readers' news consumption habits have changed.”
Media companies created new business models
Journalist Emre Kızılkaya stated that digitalization in journalism varies by country, describing the process of newspapers going digital and news websites being established in Turkey, and noted that with the founding of Facebook, the spread of Google, and smartphones, media companies accelerated the creation of new business models.
Kızılkaya also said that newspapers separated their digital publications from print and granted autonomy to '.com.tr' domain websites.
"Politicians don't understand technology, they remain outdated"
Journalist Füsun Nebil stated that traditional media in Turkey long neglected digital platforms, and reminded that the situation was not different globally, with traditional media not trusting digital.
Nebil noted that platforms like Facebook and Google have no boundaries and politically influence populations with their algorithms, stating that politicians in all countries, including Turkey, do not understand technology and remain outdated.
"We are in a difficult period. Newspapers and journalists are the fourth estate and a pillar of democracy," said Füsun Nebil, emphasizing the importance of journalists and data independence for the public.
"Artificial intelligence copies what exists. This is a major threat to journalism," said Nebil, noting that there are no regulators for those developing these technologies and that development is unregulated.
"Media lacks the ability to produce a niche product"
In his speech, Author Ümit Alan stated that traditional media missed the process of platforms like Facebook and YouTube evolving from social networks to publishers, and explained that platforms offer the opportunity to present their own niche products with a user base specific to everyone.
Alan stated that digital platforms are both publishing organizations and do not bear the responsibilities of publishing organizations, saying, “Media still looks at things traditionally. Media lacks the ability to produce a niche product. There hasn't been an experience of a media organization producing news for Generation Z yet. When you cover the names of news sites and look at the news they produce, you can't tell which is which.”
Alan also stated that persistence in quality journalism would pay off, and added that those who learn to collaborate with artificial intelligence early would not be defeated by it.
"Distrust in media is a global issue"
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suncem Koçer from Koç University stated that there is distrust towards news and newspapers in society, saying, “Distrust in media is a global issue. Media is among the least trusted institutions. How users' relationship with news will improve is important.”
"Those who claim to practice independent journalism are actually subject to the political stances of platforms..."
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Can Ertuna from Bahçeşehir University pointed to those practicing independent journalism on digital platforms, stating, “Those practicing boss-free journalism on platforms are unaware that their bosses are digital platforms like YouTube and that they are dependent on technology. Technological dependence leads to journalists losing their independence and autonomy.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Can Ertuna also stated that journalists are hardware-dependent on platforms, emphasizing that those who claim to practice independent journalism are actually subject to the political stances of platforms.
Sensitive journalistic data is open to all global platforms…
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Can Ertuna pointed out that there will be an increased dependency with artificial intelligence applications, emphasizing the risk of using data determined by algorithms and the risk of artificial intelligence guidance.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Can Ertuna also said that due to platforms, sensitive journalistic data has become accessible to all global platforms.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Can Ertuna stated that contact should be established for journalism to be conducted under equal and fair conditions with digital platforms, and emphasized that the issue of issuing a policy document on this matter should be put on the agenda.
Journalism is constantly suffering damage
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay from Üsküdar Üniversitesi stated that the topic of thematic journalism is taught to students, and explained that giant structures like Google and Facebook squeeze both their users and journalists, acting in accordance with their own interests.
"We are talking about giants who constantly disregard journalism for their own interests. There will be no such thing as news left," said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay, emphasizing that journalism is constantly suffering damage and that states need to take measures for the future of journalism.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay added, "Platforms should be forced to be transparent about algorithms and advertisements."
"Generation Z is the generation that should be targeted"
Journalist Dr. Sarphan Uzunoğlu pointed out the absence of audience-focused newspapers, stating, “Audience-based journalism should be done digitally. Currently, Generation Z is the generation that should be targeted. No newspaper can see this. Generation Z is not the target of any newspaper.”
Dr. Sarphan Uzunoğlu also stated that if a connection is desired with Generation Z, one should look at the language used by Netflix, adding that Generation Z paid attention to the news during the February 6 earthquake, and now Generation Z is captured by the Palestine crisis.
"A kind of digital class distinction has emerged due to algorithms"
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan from Üsküdar Üniversitesi pointed to the scarcity of media companies and states that can negotiate with Google, stating, “Google is bigger than most of them. Therefore, its terms must be followed. In the digital realm, there is a hierarchical system called 'Googlearchy.' This is a system where what is popular becomes even more popular, and the rich become even richer.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan also noted that a kind of digital class distinction has emerged due to algorithms, stating that algorithms' 'clickbait' trap excludes the fundamental values of journalism, and 'familiarity bias' feeds what is popular.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan also stated that content produced in accordance with search engine algorithms reduces diversity, and said that diversity is suffering and technology negatively affects journalism.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan also noted that artificial intelligence carries the risk of plagiarism and stated that it produces erroneous information because there is erroneous information where AI is connected.
Closing session
At the closing session of the 11th International Communication Days, Organizing Committee Chairman and Rector Advisor Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan and Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör delivered a thank-you speech.
Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan stated that the three-day Communication Days organization was successfully held, saying, "Many academics participated, our students participated. I thank all our students who worked in this organization and followed the sessions. It is an organization that all of us, faculty members and students alike, have achieved together. As the chairman of the organizing committee, I thank everyone who supported this process, especially the Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi."
"Academics from abroad are happy to be here"
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör said, "As Üsküdar Üniversitesi, we have come to the end of the National Communication Days symposium, which we held for the 11th time this year. During this process, a very significant portion of communication academics in Turkey, many renowned communication scientists, were with us. Academics from both within Turkey and abroad, who participated in the sessions with their papers, attended as listeners, and came as invited speakers, also expressed their great excitement and happiness to be here."
"Üsküdar Üniversitesi shines with IFIG, IFIG shines from Üsküdar"
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör stated that the active participation of Communication Faculty students was met with enthusiasm by academics, saying, "This year, students from other universities also joined us to be part of the symposium's service section. I believe that student participation from different universities will increase in the coming years. Communication academics have embraced this symposium greatly. Its sustainability, with both quantity and quality increasing every year, is a source of pride for us and the entire communication community in Turkey. In the coming years, we aim to make this symposium even more international by taking it to universities abroad. Üsküdar Üniversitesi shines with IFIG, IFIG shines from Üsküdar."
At the event, where various aspects of digital inequality and data colonialism were discussed, the abstract texts of all submitted papers and subsequently their full texts will be published as a book and shared with the public. Additionally, all sessions of the symposium will be archived as video recordings on the symposium's website.