A little self reflection in order for Erdogan

For days, many of us have been arguing about whether Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan really did talk to German daily Welt am Sonntag’s Editor in Chief Cristoph Keese. In the end, Cüneyt Zapsu was blamed for the whole affair. He appears to have taken this in stride, deciding not to rock the boat after being treated unfairly. However, Zapsu’s only mistakes were to organize the dinner in Davos, Switzerland, where he seated Keese next to the prime minister, let him direct the meeting-dinner, let the German journalist get to know the prime minister and Zapsu’s knowledge of German. Moreover, his job is not to be the prime minister’s public relations officer.

Erdogan sat next to Keese in Davos, and they had a long conversation. I know because I was there. Everything was discussed at that table. From headscarves to the Kurdish problem. It appears Keese asked the prime minister whether he would mind if Keese could compile what was said at the dinner into an interview format and Erdogan acquiesced. The German journalist sent the interview he prepared to Zapsu for authorization and Zapsu in turn contacted Erdogan’s press officials, who were with him in South Asia, for confirmation. When there was no reply from either Zapsu or Erdogan’s press officials, the German journalist published the interview.

That is the center of all this hoopla.

First it was announced that Erdogan did not remember the journalist or holding any such interview.

A day later the dinner was remembered, but the argument was now that the journalist had used the comments made by Erdogan out of context. Another day passed and all the blame was put on the shoulders of the translator, who was, by the way, the best I have ever seen. Finally Zapsu was named as the key figure and took all the blame.

The real problem is with no single individual but in the way Erdogan’s relations with local and international media are handled.

Erdogan should not blame anyone

This is not the first time something like this has occurred. It has happened before.

The expensive gifts Erdogan received during his visit to Russia created an uproar. We later learned that they were registered to the Prime Ministry. At least that’s what he heard.

I am quite knowledgeable about the methods used in managing Erdoğan’s meetings with local and foreign journalists. That’s why I know the problem is not with any single individual but with some of the habits Erdogan refuses to mend.

Erdogan’s biggest problem is his inability to leave his relations with the press to the experts. There are no set rules that guide the places and times of his meetings with journalists. He ignores most of his expert press officers’ opinions and total chaos governs his relations with the media. If a certain ambassador is in the headlines, Erdogan will speak to any journalist from from the relevant country who appears in front him.

In other words, Erdogan does not have a firm personal communication policy or mechanism.

Everything is talked about to everyone

Another point I would like to note is the fact that Prime Minister Erdogan speaks about any topic, to any journalist, anywhere. Furthermore, while the conversation is taking place, no one has any idea about what type of exchange it is. Is it just an informal conversation? Or a report that could be cited without giving names? Or is it an official interview? No one ever knows. No one is told what kind of exchange it is, whether it is destined for publication or not. The result is, even when he thinks he is speaking off the record, whatever Erdogan says has the potential to become news.

There are no guidelines when Erdogan speaks to journalists. As a result, mistaken statements, informal comments and even jokes he has made appear in the headlines.

And then a crisis ensues.

Erdogan and his associates should not be angry with Zapsu or the German journalist. The main culprit is an error in practice. Erdogan needs to listen to his press advisors and trust those who do it as a profession.

And, of course, he needs to talk less. He needs to kick his habit of talking whenever he sees a microphone. If he talked less, his personal charisma would increase.

These are just some friendly suggestions. Listening to the available expert advice at his disposal can only help the prime minister, and in turn, Turkey.

If not, this dialogue of the deaf will continue, as it has until now.