Information Minister: GCC media coordination to face challenges

Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi
stressed freedom enjoyed by the media institutions in the region, pointing out
that this freedom cannot be restrained nowadays by any official but can
rather be organised.

Addressing the 14th session of the Arab Media Forum, which was attended
by Information Ministers from the GCC countries, he said there are no laws in
the region restraining freedom. Yet, he added, “We look forward to what has
become known as responsible freedom to which everyone working in this
field must remain committed”. He warned of the danger of defamation,
pointing out the need for Arab research centres to support the media
institution in order to enable it to benchmark public opinion accurately and
avoid any inaccuracy that could be caused by relying on non‑Arab centres.

The Information Minister said Bahrain had a special experience in this respect
when news agencies and satellite channels reported for a week the
dissolution of a political society without full understanding of the legal reasons
and while ignoring more important regional issues. This, he noted, confirms
the fact that those agencies and channels rely on biased opinions posted on

some social media websites without ascertaining of real news sources.

The Information Minister pointed out a change in media concepts with every
official or public institution having its own media body that helps the
Information Ministry in its work. He said conventional media should not be led
by other mass media be they social media or private channels. “The media
cannot justify a mistake or shortcoming of any public institution as nowadays
no one can hide anything,” he noted, stressing the role of citizens in this
respect.

The Information Minister affirmed the coordinated media policy of the GCC
countries and ongoing cooperation with many foreign media establishments to
rectify many pieces of information. He pointed out rejection of all Arab
countries of foreign interference in their internal affairs, noting rectification of
errors committed by some channels or writers through direct communication
with them or laws regulating the media work. He added diverse visions and
stances regarding a particular issue is something natural and it is necessary
to boost the culture of logic and persuasion.

Concerning the need to invest in the youth and the Information Ministry’s plan
for the next years, the Information Minister emphasised the need to cope with
the fast‑paced change by reviewing the Media College curricula every six
months and not five years. He reiterated support to the youth and full reliance
on them.

As for the tendency of some countries to cancel the Information Ministries
following some western experiences, the Information Minister affirmed that
every country and culture has its own specificity that has to be respected.