Arab Media Tackles Against Fake News

Under the aegis of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the 15th Arab Media Forum kicked off Sunday.

This year's edition focuses on news making, verification of media sources and countering of fake news amid a revolution in information technology and new media tools.

"It is of a paramount importance to stand up to the spread of fabricated and false news that influence young people," Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Mohammad Al-Jabri said in his inaugural speech. He asserted the need for adhering to the principles of credibility, transparency, and professionalism to provide a balanced news coverage.

He argued that the onus is on media people and intellectuals to prioritize national and Arab interests before any organizational or personal benefits.

"The rapid developments and impending challenges facing the Arab world require intensive and sincere work from media people and intellectuals to promote Arab constants and strengthen national unity," the minister said.

Al-Jabri welcomed the participating delegations, especially that of the Emirate of Sharjah was chosen as a special guest of honor in this year's edition.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah attended the inaugural ceremony as a representative of the His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber.

For his part, Secretary-General of the Arab Media Forum Madhi Al-Khamis said that the forum was the brainchild of an ambitious Kuwaiti youth who carried his idea about a forum for Arab Media to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

His Highness the Amir's embracing and supporting helped turn his dream into a reality, he said. He added that forum has become a leading event on the Arab media agenda and an observer member in the Council of Arab Information Ministers and the Arab League's Standing Committee of Information. He expressed appreciation of the strategic partner in this success over the past 15 years, namely, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information.

The Forum honored Kuwait Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah; Kuwait's Information Minister Al-Jabri; Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi; and Assistant Secretary General for Media Affairs at the Arab League Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh.

It honored also a number of Arab media figures, namely TV host Paula Yacoubian, journalist Georges Semaan from Lebanon; Sports journalist Mustapha El Agha Palestine; journalist Hatem El Taie from Oman; actor-cum-TV host Esaad Younis, and journalists Ahmad Faiq, Mohamad Mourad from Egypt; and journalist Mohamed Al Qahtani from Kuwait.

The Arab Media Forum brings together leading officials, representatives of media organizations, media experts, reporters and broadcasters from across the Arab World to deliberate key issues related to the media industry.

 

SOURCE : TIMESKUWAIT

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