JAM, Berlin - On October 9, 2024, Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) and Journalisten und Anwälte für Meinungsfreiheit (JAM) celebrated the launch of their latest publication, Masters of Manipulation: Authoritarian Propaganda in Russia and Turkey, at the Reforum Space in Berlin.
The book, authorted by five Russian and five Turkish journalists, explores the mechanisms used by authoritarian regimes to shape media and public perception, particularly under the regimes in Russia and Turkey.
The event opened with welcome remarks from Teresa Widlok, FNF’s Head of Division Global Themes, followed by a brief introduction to the book by Barış Altıntaş, Senior Projects Manager at JAM.
The keynote speech, titled "The Art of Deception: Authoritarian Narratives in a New Age of Propaganda," was delivered by Murat Çelikkan, Co-Director of Hafıza Merkezi (Truth Justice Memory Center), who discussed how neoliberal practices and disinformation campaigns have shaped public opinion, leading to global conflicts and a decline in trust in democratic systems.
A panel discussion, Journalism’s Role as a Line of Defense Against Propaganda, moderated by Barış Altıntaş, featured book contributor Can Ertuna, an Istanbul-baed journalist and anew media, academic and Daniel-Dylan Böhmer, a senior editor at Die Welt.
The panel incldued discussions on the role of social media in authoritarian propaganda and the potential of democratic countermeasures. Ertuna emphasized the importance of robust mainstream media to combat disinformation, while Böhmer addressed global trends and the influence of troll armies. The panel concluded with a Q&A session, where attendees engaged with panelists on strategies to support journalism as a defense against manipulation.
The launch not only marked the release of Masters of Manipulation but also fostered an important dialogue on how journalism can challenge and expose authoritarian narratives. The publication is available for download, providing readers with an in-depth analysis of media dynamics under authoritarian rule.
