Public Strategies for Combating Disinformation: A Qualitative Analysis of the Directorate of Communications’ Bulletins

Abstract

The primary function of mass communication tools is to ensure the flow of accurate, reliable, and objective information. However, in today’s context, this principle is often deliberately violated, particularly in the transmission of news. The intentional dissemination of false or misleading information leads to disinformation, which hinders individuals’ access to accurate information and manipulates public perceptions. The speed of the digital age has significantly amplified the production, circulation, and impact power of disinformation. This situation threatens the right to access information and jeopardizes the sustainability of democratic society. The effects of disinformation on society and the strategies developed to counter these effects are becoming increasingly critical. This study is based on the Disinformation Combat Guide published by the Disinformation Combat Center, which was established by Turkey’s Directorate of Communications and formally recognized at the state level. Rather than focusing on the verification or approval of news, the study concentrates on systematizing existing news according to disinformation categories and identifying the category in which disinformation occurs most frequently. In line with the disinformation types outlined in the guide, disinformation bulletins published in Turkey between January 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025, were examined. The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative content analysis with discourse analysis. All disinformation content in the bulletins was coded according to type and thematic distribution; subsequently, sample news items were subjected to discourse analysis through random sampling. The findings aim not only to reveal the effects of disinformation on the masses but also to evaluate the effectiveness of current counter-strategies and to contribute to strengthening media literacy.