Kuwait Info. Min. urges concerted Arab media response to global developments

KUWAIT, Feb 11 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti Minister of Communication Affairs and Information Technology and Acting Minister of Information and Culture Omar Al-Omar said Wednesday that rapid regional and global developments necessitate concerted Arab media action.
Addressing the 22nd ordinary session of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Arab Information Ministers, held in Kuwait, the minister said it is also essential to create a responsible media discourse capable of keeping abreast of changes, protecting public awareness and serving national issues.
Al-Omar conveyed the greetings and best wishes of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah for a successful and fruitful media gathering that could fulfill the Arab nation's aspirations.
He underlined that the Palestinian cause continued to mark the central issue of Arab media, restating Kuwait's unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, including an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital in line with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
He vowed that during its presidency of the Executive Office for the coming two years, the State of Kuwait would seek to advance Arab media mechanisms and cope with the sector's rapid transformations.
The minister noted that media has become a key partner in managing crises and making awareness, particularly amid rapid advancement of digital media and information technology technologies.
However, Al-Omar stressed that digital media should be based on innovative strategies that back sustainable development, safeguard Arab identity and promote the role of mass media as a platform of knowledge and positive influence.
For his part, the Arab League's Assistant Secretary-General for the Media Sector Ambassador Ahmad Khattabi said that it is necessary to exert more efforts to awaken the global conscience regarding the anguish of the Palestinian people, and to promote the effective role of Palestinian journalists in covering the nonstop violations of the Israeli occupation and Jewish settlers.
In this regard, he underlined that this requires a collective move to throw much media weight behind the Palestinian cause, calling for capitalizing on digital platforms and social media to promote international solidarity with the legitimate Palestinian cause.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Arab League's media sector to following up on ministerial decisions and carrying out strategies and plans of action in a way that contributes to stepping up and diversifying pan-Arab media cooperation with a view to addressing regional challenges, mainly fighting terrorism and extremism and rectifying stereotypes about the Arab world.
Jordanian Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesman Mohammad Al-Momani addressed the gathering by calling for exerting more efforts and unifying visions amid the current situation in both Arab and Muslim worlds.
He reiterated his country's relentless support for every step taken by Arab countries in the field of media cooperation and coordination.
Head of the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission's (CMC) executive body Baligh Abu Kalal said media has become not only platforms for transmission but also a field for protecting awareness, protecting rights, promoting rights and safeguarding stability.
But, he emphasized that defending truth requires protecting Arab digital sovereignty of cyberspace in order to ensure effectiveness through contents that protect Arab identity, maintain security and bolster capability of making positive influence.
Saudi Assistant Information Minister Avbdullah Al-Maghlouth said this meeting is part of continued efforts to advance joint Arab media action.
He added that the Palestinian cause comes at the top of the meeting agenda, calling for political, humanitarian and rights support and stepping up Arab media coverage for it.
For his part, Houssein Medou, Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament of Mauritania, said that rapid technological transformations come amid the challenges of credibility, digital security, and Arab digital sovereignty in light of mounting hate speech, fake news, media misinformation, and negative stereotypes in the global media flow, and with the dominance of major platforms in digital spaces.
Yemeni Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Moammar Al-Eryani said media has become a pillar in the battle for awareness and an essential partner in protecting Arab identity and consolidating stability.
He restated his country's full commitment to joint Arab action to develop unified Arab strategies to confront the systematic campaigns against Arab security, and stability. (end) mdm.mt