Arab media strategy to fight extremism and terrorism urged

Cairo, May 19 (BNA): Information Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi has called on Arab countries to adopt a unified media strategy to boost the role of mass media and telecommunication means in protecting the Arab cultural and civilisational identity, fighting ideological extremism, violence and terrorism, facing media misinformation and suspending channels defaming Arab countries and inciting sedition, sectarianism, hostility and hatred. The minister was speaking as he took part today in the third regular session of the executive bureau of the Arab Information Ministers Council at the Arab League Secretariat General headquarters in Cairo. Arab League Assistant Secretary General and President of the Media and Telecommunication Sector Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazala and Heads of the media bodies in the Arab countries also attended. The Information Minister underlined the need to pass legislations and embrace media codes of honour to ensure commitment of mass media to the ethics of the profession and international human rights conventions. He also urged to activate and develop the Arab Media Code of Honour and the principles of regulating the radio and television satellite transmission and reception. He demanded stringent legal measures to be taken to suspend satellite radio and television stations and channels inciting violence, sectarianism and terrorism and revoke their licences on Arab satellites for flouting Arab and international media conventions. He pointed out the danger they pose to regional and international peace, adding that Arab countries have a common responsibility in developing their media discourse and keeping abreast of political, security and technical developments. The minister urged to form a unified front to confront regional and international challenges and deter defamatory media campaigns amid an information war that aims to spread rumours to destabilise the Arab communities. He underscored Bahrain's keenness to promote pan-Arab media work and enhance the role of the media in fostering intellectual and inter-cultural dialogue as well as defending crucial Arab issues through an effective and influential vision.