Bahraini Media crucial for security, says Minister
The role of media in maintaining internal and regional security was highlighted during the second day of the fourth Arab Gulf Forum for Strategic Planning (GFSP4) here yesterday. The discussions at the forum highlighted the means to improve media organisations in GCC states and make them play a bigger role in supporting military operations.
Speaking during the media security session were His Majesty the King’s Advisor for Media Affairs Nabeel Alhamer, Parliament and Information Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi and Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts Presidents Sultan Al Baz’ee.
Minister Al Hammadi said, “Media is a crucial part of nations’ security. Presently, there are countless attempts to detsabilise the security of our countries through the media. The region is facing multiple challenges during the past few years. There are parties in the media that are following a certain pattern to attract the public towards extremism by falsifying facts.”
He commented: “The new media (social media) has developed into a mean of recruitment for extremist groups and it has reached into Europe using this method. It’s also a place where imaginary conflicts are created to create chaos in societies.”
Speaking to DT News on the sidelines of the session, Alhamer noted to the noticeable attendance of young GCC media personalities, saying, “The forum contributes in exchanging experiences and benefits the younger generations who are working in this important field.”
Stressing on the necessity of more cooperation between governments and media organisations in GCC countries, Alhamer said governments and media organisations were rocking in the same boat.
In his speech, the advisor also mentioned the swift emergence of social media networks in the past few years, underlining its dangers in spreading false news. “Media organisations have a great responsibility to deliver information with high credibility and from trusted sources. As media persons, we should not be involved in promoting such false news, especially the ones circulated on social media,” he commented, adding that this harmful phenomenon should be curbed.
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