Gulf Media Ministers: We Reject Undermining Bloc Unity and Insulting GCC States, Their Symbols, and Peoples

- Age: Kuwait is keen on enhancing Gulf media integration and unifying efforts to face challenges

State Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Acting Minister of Media and Culture, Omar Al-Omar, affirmed on Wednesday Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and media integration among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and unifying efforts to confront media challenges, thereby contributing to consolidating the Gulf identity and highlighting the achievements and positions of the Council’s member states regionally and internationally.

This statement came in an interview Al-Omar gave to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), following his participation in the 29th meeting of the GCC Ministers of Media, held in the Bahraini capital, Manama. He praised the efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain in organizing the meeting and commended the role of the GCC Secretariat General in supporting the progress of joint Gulf media work.

He clarified that the meeting discussed several topics and initiatives aimed at developing media content, strengthening media partnerships with sister and friendly countries, empowering media personnel, and leveraging modern technologies and artificial intelligence to keep pace with the rapid transformations in the media industry.

Al-Omar stressed the importance of continuing to support joint GCC media committees and working groups, and translating recommendations and decisions into practical initiatives and programs that yield tangible results, enhance coordination and integration among media institutions in the member states, and bolster the presence and impact of the Gulf media message.

He pointed out the importance of the media’s role in conveying facts, countering misinformation, and raising public awareness, as well as supporting the security and stability of the region, reflecting the responsibility of Gulf media in addressing regional and international challenges.

In this context, Al-Omar said that the GCC Ministers of Media emphasized in their statement issued after the meeting that the cohesion and solidarity among the Council’s member states, their leaderships, and their peoples constitute a solid foundation for protecting security and stability and preserving Gulf achievements. They stressed that Gulf unity is a shared responsibility and a constant commitment among the member states, which gains greater importance in light of current circumstances to confront challenges and their repercussions.

The ministers affirmed their firm rejection of any actions aimed at undermining Gulf unity or offending the GCC member states, their symbols, or their peoples. They stressed the necessity of intensifying the monitoring and documentation of violations committed through media and digital platforms, and taking necessary legal measures to hold perpetrators accountable by competent authorities in each country, in accordance with national systems and relevant GCC decisions and regulations.

They called on media institutions, media professionals, and social media users to adhere to their responsibilities, ensure accuracy, obtain information from official sources, and avoid publishing, disseminating, or circulating offensive or misleading content.

They emphasized that the sensitivity of the current stage requires concerted efforts to protect Gulf unity, consolidate fraternal bonds among the peoples of the member states, and support all initiatives that enhance their security and stability.

Al-Omar concluded his statement by reaffirming Kuwait’s continued support for initiatives aimed at developing the Gulf media system and enhancing cooperation and coordination among the member states, thereby fulfilling the aspirations of their leaderships and peoples, and advancing the trajectory of joint Gulf work toward greater integration and achievement.

The Kuwaiti delegation participating in the meeting, in addition to Minister Al-Omar, included Deputy Minister of Media Nasser Muhsin, Director of the Gulf Cooperation Council Media Department Fares Al-Anazi, Director of the Minister’s Office Abdullah Al-Harbi, and Minister’s Office Observer Mohammed Al-Haddad.