JEDDAH: The Kingdom’s media minister met with information ministers from the Arab League on Wednesday, with fake news and Palestine among the issues discussed.
Turki bin Abdullah Al-Shabanah welcomed the audience to Riyadh and greeted them on behalf of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who wished them success in strengthening media efforts within the Arab League framework.
The session was organized in partnership with the Saudi Media Ministry as part of celebrating Riyadh being named the Arab Media Capital for 2018-2019.
Al-Shabanah kick-started the meeting by saying it was important to emphasize the Palestinian cause and the coordinated Arab media efforts needed to promote it.
Another topic was an amendment to the code of conduct for Arab media, including the avoidance of spreading rumors and fake news, committing to objectivity and professionalism and avoiding hate speech.
Al-Shabanah stressed the role of Arab media in combating terrorism through educational programs that raised awareness about this phenomenon.
The success of Arab efforts in tackling terrorism required constant coordination and a united front, aimed at fighting radical and misguided ideas, he said.
Secretary-General of the Arab League’s Social Affairs Sector Badr Al-Din Alali thanked the Kingdom for its hospitality and congratulated Al-Shabanah on his recent appointment as media minister.
Alali spoke about the last decade, which had witnessed tremendous regional and global changes that demanded a better performance and capacity from Arab media so that it could compete on the international stage.
He said the secretariat-general of the Arab League and Council of Arab Media Ministers were keen to develop and strengthen the work of the media.
This enthusiasm and support was reflected by the council’s decisions and discussions from recent years, such as its role in combating terrorism and achieving sustainable development goals, he said.
Last month the Kingdom’s then-Media Minister Dr. Awwad Al-Awwad and his Arab counterparts pledged to devise a joint Arab strategy to overcome the challenges facing the region.
They discussed a number of initiatives and ideas to revitalize the media industry, also agreeing to abide by a code of conduct and ethics.
The Council of Arab Media Ministers’ Executive Office includes the following members: Jordan, the UAE, Tunisia, Somalia, Sudan, Iraq and Egypt.
Arab media must avoid fake news and stick to objectivity, says minister
Arab media must avoid fake news and stick to objectivity, says minister
- Concerted efforts urged to fight extremism and terrorism
- Al-Shabanah stressed the role of Arab media in combating terrorism through educational programs that raised awareness about this phenomenon
Saudi FM meets with Kuwaiti counterpart
- The ministers discussed ways of strengthening bilateral relations and regional and international developments of common interest
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya on Tuesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a preparatory meeting for Arab League foreign ministers in Manama, Bahrain.
The ministers discussed ways of strengthening bilateral relations and regional and international developments of common interest.
Saudi cabinet welcomes UN resolution supporting Palestine’s full membership
RIYADH: The Saudi cabinet welcomed on Tuesday the United Nations assembly's resolution supporting Palestine's full membership, the Saudi State Agency reported.
The council of ministers emphasizing the need to halt Israeli military escalations and violations against civilians and humanitarian workers.
Minister of Information, Salman bin Youssef Al-Dosari, reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to global security, active participation in international relief efforts, and advocacy for issues affecting Arab and Islamic nations.
The council also discussed the recent reception of pilgrims arriving for Hajj.
Directives were issued to maintain high standards of procedures and services at entry points in Makkah, Medina, and the Holy Sites.
The council also received a comprehensive briefing on recent diplomatic dialogues with various nations, including discussions between the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the President of Ukraine.
Saudi FM calls for resumption of Sudan talks
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan reiterated the Kingdom’s grave concerns over an escalation in tensions between warring factions in Sudan.
He made his remarks while participating at the 33rd Arab League Summit held in the Bahraini capital, Manama.
The foreign minister urged the two sides, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, to commit to a ceasefire, reiterating Saudi Arabia’s call for a return to dialogue.
He also called for an end to further civilian suffering and the country’s devastating humanitarian situation.
Saudi Arabia, alongside the US, is leading mediation efforts to urge the two Sudanese sides to end the war.
On the subject of the war in Gaza, Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia has warned of dangerous repercussions of Israel’s widening of its scope of operations in its campaign against Hamas.
He reiterated the Kingdom’s calls for the international community to intervene immediately to stop the war.
Regarding Yemen, Prince Faisal affirmed Saudi Arabia’s full support for efforts to achieve peace in the country, and to reach a comprehensive political solution through dialogue and consultation between the warring parties, which will start the process of economic development and recovery.
Saudi project clears 935 Houthi mines in Yemen
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam cleared 935 mines in Yemen in one week from May 4 to May 10, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Overseen by the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, the project’s specialist teams destroyed 876 pieces of unexploded ordnance, 47 anti-tank mines, seven anti-personnel mines and five improvised explosive devices.
The explosives, planted by the Houthi militia across Yemen, posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
A total of 440,067 mines have been cleared since the start of the initiative in 2018, according to Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the project’s managing director.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines, according to the Project Masam website.
Masam teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Saudi minister attends G20 judicial meeting in Brazil
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Justice Dr. Walid Al-Samaani took part in the G20 Summit of Supreme Courts and Constitutional Courts in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from May 12-14.
Discussions focused on integrating technology, particularly AI, in justice systems, and exploring innovative technologies used by G20 courts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The summit discussed promoting citizenship and social inclusion, climate litigation and sustainable development, and digital transformation to enhance judicial efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Family Affairs Council delegation, led by its secretary-general, Dr. Maimoonah Al-Khalil, took part in the Women’s Empowerment Working Group meeting of the G20 in Brazil from May 14-15.
The first day’s session was titled “Equality, Economic Independence and the Care Economy,” while the second session focused on “Equality and Confronting Violence and Discrimination against Women.”
The meeting will conclude on the second day with the topic “Equality and Climate Justice.”
The Family Affairs Council represents Saudi Arabia in the G20, focusing on women’s empowerment.
The Women’s Empowerment Working Group, initiated under the Indian presidency in 2023, began its work under the Brazilian presidency this year.
