An article published in the media of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, particularly in the Yeni Düzen Media Organization, known as the official organ of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), regarding Azerbaijan, has caused serious resonance in political circles.
Although the article allegedly refers to the “Reuters” agency, the reliability of the information presented is questionable. On the other hand, how can “Reuters”, known for its bias against Azerbaijan, feature material about Azerbaijan in the Cypriot media? Therefore, this material is evaluated as a deliberate information operation against the backdrop of Azerbaijan-Northern Cyprus relations.
A deeper analysis of the issue shows that the published article may also be part of a new stage of ideological and geopolitical clashes on Cyprus's political map.
The Yeni Düzen newspaper and website have been known for many years as an organ close to the official media platform of the Republican Turkish Party. CTP, among Turkish Cypriots, is distinguished by its “pro-federation”, left-centrist stance. CTP is also considered the younger sibling of CHP. At the very least, CHP could have made its younger sibling understand. It seems the elder sibling is promoting its position through the younger sibling. The answer to the question of who benefits from the cooling of relations with Azerbaijan in Cyprus is also CTP's position. In fact, this position is hostile towards Turkey.
The main characteristics of CTP's political line are developed towards supporting the federation model, emphasizing “Cypriot identity”, a cautious approach to Turkey's policy in the region, and close ideological ties with CHP.
These characteristics are also reflected in Yeni Düzen's editorial policy. Research shows that this media organization has, from time to time, presented the rapprochement of Northern Cyprus with Turkey and the Turkic world as an undesirable process.
During CTP's previous periods in power, prominent figures of the party, Kutlay Erk and his wife Emine Çolak, served as interior ministers at different times. One of the widely discussed issues concerns their past desire to go to Khankendi and present the governance model in TRNC. This issue was suppressed by Azerbaijan on the spot. After this fact, it is superfluous to say, show, or explain anything. It seems these forces have still not forgotten the exposure of their betrayals.
In recent years, relations between Azerbaijan and Northern Cyprus have significantly strengthened.
The main directions are the explicit support of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for TRNC's full membership initiative in the OTS, messages from Azerbaijani officials regarding the easing of international isolation against TRNC, and statements from TRNC leadership that relations with Azerbaijan “hold strategic importance”.
All of this has created a positive resonance among Turkish Cypriots. The vast majority of TRNC society views Azerbaijan as very important, the foremost supporter after Turkey.
It is precisely in such circumstances that the information disseminated against Azerbaijan does not appear coincidental.
The disseminated information indicates that this media organization is considered among the closest media organizations to Cyprus's new government. These ruling circles are pro-federation, have a left-leaning political line, and traditionally view Turkey's influence in the region with caution.
The results of the research show that these circles have included weakening Azerbaijan-TRNC rapprochement, slowing down integration within the Organization of Turkic States, and reducing Turkey's political influence over Northern Cyprus among their long-term ideological goals. They evaluate the article published in Yeni Düzen as “the transfer of internal political ideology to a regional context”.
Although the article states that “Reuters” was cited, the factual accuracy of the disseminated information is unclear. This points to serious information manipulation.
In such cases, there can be two objectives: either to legitimize the information under the name of a reliable international source, or to create an atmosphere of suspicion against Azerbaijan among the local public.
This is not only a severe violation of media ethics but is also evaluated as a politically motivated “disinformation operation”.
Azerbaijan-TRNC relations are developing along an upward trajectory. The elevation of TRNC's status within the OTS framework is on the agenda. Mutual official visits between Azerbaijan and TRNC have intensified. Geopolitical cooperation within the Turkic world is deepening. Azerbaijan's position in the South Caucasus has strengthened.
Against this backdrop, the emergence of an information attack against Azerbaijan, according to experts, bears the character of a counter-reaction to the rise in relations.
Analyses indicate that the majority of people in Cyprus view the improvement of relations between Azerbaijan and TRNC positively.
However, Yeni Düzen does not reflect the general will of Turkish Cypriots. The disseminated material is more a result of the ideological positions of certain political groups.
The disseminated material, source selection, political context, and timing factors indicate that it is a deliberate information campaign. The recent rise in Azerbaijan-TRNC relations causes discomfort in some political circles, which manifests itself in manipulative articles in the media.
And finally, this article does not reflect the general position of Turkish Cypriots. Such points are not capable of seriously affecting Azerbaijan-TRNC relations. On the contrary, the exposure of politically motivated information serves to build cooperation on more transparent and solid foundations.
Sevinc MAHARRAMOVA
