Disinformation in the Turkish Media Landscape: A Thematic Analysis of Teyit.org Fact-Checks

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital media has facilitated unprecedented access to information while simultaneously intensifying the circulation of disinformation. This study examines the types and thematic distribution of disinformation in Turkish online media through an analysis of fact-checking content published by Teyit.org, an independent verification platform operating in Türkiye. Drawing on 140 pieces of suspicious content verified between October 25 and December 25, 2023, the study employs qualitative and quantitative content analysis to identify dominant disinformation patterns across multiple thematic categories.

The findings reveal that disinformation constitutes a dominant feature of the digital information environment, with 83% of analyzed content classified as false. Conflict-related content, particularly concerning the Israel-Hamas war, accounted for the largest thematic category, with all items in this group identified as false. High levels of disinformation were also observed in political, health, lifestyle, economy, and technology-related content, indicating that misleading information extends beyond crisis-driven or political contexts into everyday media consumption. In contrast, education-related content exhibited no instances of disinformation, suggesting varying levels of vulnerability across thematic domains.

The study further demonstrates that disinformation frequently transcends clear thematic boundaries and is predominantly disseminated through visual formats, particularly video content, highlighting the growing challenges posed by digitally manipulated media. These findings underscore the limitations of traditional media gatekeeping mechanisms and illustrate the critical role of independent fact-checking platforms in documenting and countering information disorder.