Acting Minister of Media and Culture calls for unifying Arab efforts to face regional challenges

Cairo -- The Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology and Acting Minister of Media and Culture, Omar Al-Omar, called for strengthening coordination and integration among Arab media institutions and unifying efforts to confront challenges threatening the security and stability of the region, while keeping pace with rapid transformations in the global media landscape. This came in a speech delivered by Minister Al-Omar today, Tuesday, at the opening of the 23rd ordinary session of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Ministers of Information, held under the presidency of Kuwait at the headquarters of the Arab League.

Al-Omar emphasized that the meeting gains significant importance in light of the developments and growing challenges facing the region, foremost among which are Iranian attacks using missiles and drones targeting Arab states, in blatant violation of their sovereignty and international law, and posing a direct threat to the security and stability of the region. He stated that the continuous attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia underscore the severity of the threats facing the Kingdom’s security and territorial integrity, necessitating a unified and responsible Arab stance to address anything that jeopardizes the security of Arab states and the stability of their peoples.

He stressed the importance of enhancing the system of joint Arab media action and leveraging coordination and integration among media institutions to ensure unified efforts, the flow of reliable information, and the confrontation of disinformation attempts. He noted that coordination among Arab countries represents a starting point toward a more integrated and interactive media landscape through the exchange of expertise and competencies, expanding cooperation areas, and unifying efforts to serve common interests.

Regarding technological transformations, Al-Omar clarified that rapid advancements have brought about profound changes in the nature of media, content production, distribution, and consumption mechanisms, with the growing role of digital platforms, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and interactive technologies. He further emphasized that keeping pace with these transformations must not be limited to acquiring modern tools or using new platforms; it must extend to building institutional capacities capable of innovation, training media personnel, and developing more efficient and flexible production models, while adhering to professional ethics, safeguarding privacy, verifying information, and protecting trust between media and audiences.

He added that the acceleration of media platforms necessitates launching distinctive Arab initiatives and practical projects with sustainable impact, responding to the needs of the current stage, leveraging available potential, and moving from the planning phase to actual implementation. He stressed the importance of the Executive Office serving as a supportive platform for crystallizing distinctive ideas, nurturing actionable initiatives, and encouraging joint projects that enhance expertise exchange, support innovation, develop Arabic content, and elevate the efficiency of media institutions and their personnel.

He also affirmed that the responsibility of Arab media is linked to the issues occupying the region and the need to achieve a balance between the speed of response and the accuracy of information, the public’s right to know, the necessity of verification, the plurality of opinions, and adherence to professional ethics. In this context, he stressed that the Palestinian issue remains present in the consciousness and responsibilities of Arab media, requiring accurate reporting of facts, highlighting human suffering, and committing to professionalism and credibility while confronting disinformation with reliable information.

He pointed out Kuwait’s commitment to enhancing Arab media cooperation and developing its tools to keep pace with changes and meet the aspirations of Arab societies, driven by a clear vision, integrated efforts, and a shared commitment to achieving tangible and sustainable results.

In the conclusion of his speech, he expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Executive Office and the League of Arab States in preparing for and organizing the meeting, emphasizing his hope that the deliberations and initiatives put forward would contribute to strengthening the course of joint Arab media work. (End) M.M. / M.A.A.