Doing Communications in the New Human Order

As we near the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, humanity seems to be in a race—not just to innovate, but also, paradoxically, to complicate life.

Today, technology often does more to distort truth and erode the accuracy of information than to build a better-informed world. Nowadays, fact-checking seems to be one of the strongest weapons to fight against untruth. Another—maybe the strongest—is yet to be witnessed: the search for, or pursuit of, truth.

So, at this very point, I want to explain the truth that I defend: a truth based on, and rising from, the foundations of ethics and moral values—on rights, justice, law, and the principle of the separation of powers.

From today’s perspective, many European countries and others shaped by European cultures—such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, or Japan—set a clear example for my definition of truth. It should be noted that these are not perfect, but in today’s conditions, they can serve as benchmarks for their successors.

However, the majority of the world is not even halfway there.

In Türkiye—a young republic founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk—the journey of modernization that began during the late Ottoman Empire is still ongoing. It’s a path marked by efforts to reconcile with the past and build a cohesive society rooted in strong moral values.

So, this new chapter now spans more than three centuries.

I’m not sure it’s meaningful to assign a specific timeline for a society to reconcile with its past, but one thing is crystal clear: Türkiye has been forcing itself to move forward, while many of its people—from political leaders to everyday citizens—attempt to slow it down.

When two opposing forces collide, a clash is inevitable.

Türkiye has been living through this clash long before Mustafa Kemal Atatürk began dreaming of establishing a new country, a new society, and a new story—even before World War I.

The last century alone tells us much—from numerous failed coup attempts to various successful ones, and from the extermination to the intimidation of thousands of young people.

Nowadays, Türkiye is experiencing yet another pain of change. That’s why we often hear phrases like “Türkiye is witnessing historic days” or “critical moments”—especially in recent times.

When you combine the growing ambition of states to use technology for control with Türkiye’s ongoing transformation pains, working as a communications consultant becomes both more challenging and more meaningful. The same holds true for companies operating in such an environment.

I’m not here to throw stats from the Global Risks Report or cite how PR boosts ROI.

But one thing is clear—for companies, influencers, and opinion leaders alike, especially within Türkiye’s borders: communication must be treated seriously and strategically, not just in good times, but especially in moments of uncertainty.

Another crystal-clear point is this: despite the repetition of social consciousness, the impact of protest spreads rapidly—and its results are visible almost instantly.

As global dynamics narrow comfort zones, the resolve of society continues to grow stronger.

In today’s Türkiye, while carefully considering the expectations of society, changing the understanding of communication and public relations is not a suggestion. It is an imperative.