Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) hosted a conference titled "Disinformation in the Digital Age – In Pursuit of the Truth", featuring İdris Kardaş, Coordinator of the Presidential Directorate of Communications’ Centre for Combating Disinformation (DMM).

The event was organized by the OMU Student Community for Combating Disinformation and held at the Atatürk Cultural Center.

The rapidly evolving role of technology and especially the impact of social media platforms on information pollution were discussed during the conference. Kardaş highlighted how the increasing use of artificial intelligence systems is shaping the flow of information on social media through algorithms. He explained that based on user behavior, these algorithms determine what content is shown to whom, when, and how.

Kardaş noted that social media algorithms tend to prioritize emotionally charged content. “Algorithms give greater visibility to content that evokes emotions such as anger, fear, and surprise. This facilitates the spread of sensational content known as 'clickbait'. These systems do not make ethical distinctions between true and false information but promote whatever content generates the most interaction,” he said. He emphasized that this situation can rapidly disseminate misinformation, conspiracy theories, and hate speech.

The conference was attended by OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ayşe Pınar Sumer, OMU Secretary General Prof. Dr. Erhan Burak Pancar, Ebu Bekir Ayrancı, Samsun Regional Director of the Presidential Directorate of Communications, as well as academics and students. Following the conference, OMU Disinformation Awareness Community President Gizem Nur Dalma presented İdris Kardaş with a plaque of appreciation and a Samsunspor F.C. jersey.

This event stood out as a significant step toward raising awareness about the fight against disinformation in the digital age.