Gulf Journalists Union Calls for Strengthening Professional Coordination and Countering Disinformation Campaigns

- Warned against irresponsible media disputes and emphasized consolidating a Gulf discourse that strengthens unity and solidarity

The Gulf Journalists Union called for enhancing coordination and professional integration among media institutions and journalists in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and for countering rumors and misleading campaigns. It stressed the importance of consolidating a responsible and balanced Gulf media discourse that strengthens unity and solidarity among GCC member states, preserves the fraternal, historical, and shared destiny ties among their peoples, and safeguards their common interests.

In a statement issued by its General Secretariat in Manama, the Union emphasized the necessity of exercising the highest levels of awareness, wisdom, and responsibility amid the exceptional circumstances and serious regional challenges facing the region.

It warned that irresponsible feuds and disputes across media and digital platforms do not serve shared Gulf interests, but rather benefit parties seeking to exploit them against the peoples of the region. It affirmed that freedom of opinion and constructive criticism must be coupled with wisdom, moderation, and objectivity, and that reporting facts must be conducted professionally and honestly, free from insult, defamation, incitement, or any infringement on fraternal bonds.

The Union stressed that the current stage requires Gulf media to have a deeper understanding of the dimensions, backgrounds, and repercussions of regional challenges, and not to limit itself to following event developments or succumbing to immediate reactions. It called for adopting an analytical and strategic media vision that recognizes the interconnection between the national security of each Gulf state and the collective security of the GCC, and that exposes attempts at disinformation and polarization used to serve agendas contrary to the supreme Gulf interests.

It praised the wisdom of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC countries, and their commitment to enhancing Gulf solidarity and integration, and protecting the security, sovereignty, and gains of GCC states. It noted that the directions of Gulf leaderships serve as a reference for consolidating awareness of a shared destiny and for adopting a media discourse that advances common interests and preserves the cohesion of the Gulf family.

The Union urged media institutions, journalists, writers, intellectuals, and content creators to adhere to professional ethics and journalistic codes of conduct, to verify information and rely on credible sources, and to enhance professional cooperation to confront rumors and misleading campaigns.

It emphasized that the role of Gulf media extends beyond reporting events to protecting societal awareness and preserving unity, affirming that the security, stability, and unity of the Gulf peoples are a collective responsibility that admits no compromise.

The Union concluded its statement by reiterating that the history, values, interests, and shared destiny uniting GCC member states are stronger than attempts at division and targeting, and that the current stage demands a conscious Gulf media that sides with the truth and the common Gulf interest.