The seminar titled “Media in the Post-Truth Era” organized by the New Media and Communication Department of Arkın University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD), was held on April 30, 2025, in room DA CLA02. The guest speaker was Meryem Özkurt, Director of Bayrak Radio Television Corporation (BRTK), and the seminar was moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Huri Yontucu.
In her presentation, Özkurt began by tracing the establishment of Bayrak Radio and explained how this modest beginning evolved into today’s BRTK. She elaborated on the structural and technological transformations the institution has undergone, enriching her talk with key examples from the media history of Cyprus.
The seminar also addressed the radical shifts in media brought on by the emergence of the internet. Özkurt shared her insights on the integration of artificial intelligence into media production processes, emphasizing that without asking the right questions, it is impossible to obtain meaningful answers—thus underlining the importance of using AI consciously and ethically.
During the segment focusing on the post-truth era, Özkurt critically examined how perception has replaced fact in today’s media language. She discussed how media can be used as a tool of propaganda, how echo chambers function in this context, and how they contribute to increasing societal polarization.
Özkurt also shared her professional experiences from working at major media outlets in Turkey, including Show TV, TGRT, Star TV, and TRT, offering valuable industry perspectives.
In conclusion, the seminar highlighted the growing importance of media literacy in the age of disinformation. Özkurt stressed that developing critical thinking and questioning skills is essential for individuals to access accurate and reliable information.
