Open source intelligence: newspapers and the Ottoman Intelligence Department in the First World War

The role of newspapers in the Ottoman Empire was pivotal in shaping public opinion and disseminating state policies. Particularly during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the evolution of the press emerged as a critical factor in the political and social metamorphosis within the Ottoman context. Newspapers transcended their traditional function of merely reporting news; they also became instrumental in education, propaganda and the establishment of ideological frameworks. Newspapers also served as open-source intelligence for intelligence organisations. The Ottoman Empire's intelligence department (The Second Branch of the General Staff) used information from various newspapers and translated and disseminated them to decision makers. They were also under the control of this branch for possible information leakage. Therefore, the impact of censorship and regulatory oversight significantly shaped the operational landscape of the press. This article is a descriptive one that will try to identify the role of the Intelligence Department and the press.