Cairo: Preventing the spread of extremism was the focus of the 64th annual Arab Informations Ministers meeting. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the United Arab Emirates at the General Secretariat of the Arab League in Cairo.
The UAE delegation to the meeting was led by Ebrahim Al Abed, Director General of the National Media Council (NMC).
The council meeting was held under the theme ‘the role of media in spreading the values of tolerance and the fight against extremism’. The council discussed a UAE proposal on the role of the media in promoting values of tolerance. The proposal highlighted that tolerance is a prominent principle that contributes to the sustainability of a society.
The meeting recognised the important responsibility media has in promoting values of tolerance and combating extremism due to its ability to reach millions of people.
The ministers agreed that media should not be used to give space to those who want to preach religious extremism.
The meeting highlighted specific objectives and long-term strategies for media organisations to help promote tolerance.
The meeting designated April 21 as Arab Media Day to recognise the critical role and responsibility the media carries.
The ministers approved a proposal to reinstate the Permanent Arab Media Committee, whose members will consist of Arab media experts. The council also ratified Joint Arab Media Strategy for Combatting Terrorism. The ministers agreed to the interim plan for the strategy, and tasked the General Secretariat of the Arab League to cooperate and coordinate with Naif Arab University for Security Sciences for the strategy’s implementation in five years, starting from 2016.
As for the Palestinian issue, the council emphasised the importance of ensuring that the Palestinian cause is kept alive in the minds and hearts of Arabs and Muslims through media awareness programmes. The council called on all relevant media authorities in member countries to bolster and boost programmes and projects for supporting Jerusalem.
It also called for exerting efforts to rally international public opinion against Israeli operations and policies in the Holy City, and its intent towards Al Aqsa Mosque and Muslim and Christian holy sites.
