Meetings to discuss role media plays in society

The Arab League will hold its regular meetings to discuss the role of media in combating terrorism and hate speech in Dubai from 17-19 November. The meetings, jointly hosted by the Dubai Press Club (DPC) and Watani Al Emarat Foundation, in collaboration with the Secretariat General of the Arab League, reflect the UAE’s role in promoting Arab dialogue on key issues facing the region.

The meetings, taking place over three days, will feature a workshop and panel discussion on the role of media in fighting hate speech and combating terrorism, as well as promoting a moderate religious discourse. The third day of the meetings will feature the 22nd meeting of the permanent group of experts tasked with reviewing the role of media in countering terrorism. It will discuss and approve the recommendations coming out of the research panel discussion set to take place on 18 November.

President of Dubai Press Club Mona Al Marri said that Dubai and the UAE provide the ideal venue for discussions focused on vital issues concerning the region’s media. She said the Dubai Press Club (DPC) is proud to collaborate with the Watani Al Emarat Foundation and the Secretariat General of the Arab League to organise such an event. Al Marri further said that Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has mandated DPC to promote a balanced media discourse that can support Arab societies in dealing with critical challenges.

“Dubai continues to provide a conducive environment for fostering dialogue and promoting collaboration. We have hosted several events that provide productive platforms for deliberating on key regional issues. The Arab Media Forum, the largest and most prominent annual media event in the region, organised by the Dubai Press Club, has featured many discussions on the role of media in combating terrorism.”

Dr Fawzi Al Ghuwail, Director of The Arab Information Ministers Council’s Technical Secretariat, said that such meetings are part of the Arab League’s efforts to promote the role of the region’s media in combating terrorism and defusing its potential negative impact on Arab society. He also said that the meetings aim to promote awareness and constructive thinking on countering extremism.

Al Ghuwail further said that the recommendations of the permanent experts group are important as they will assess the progress of actions decided during the last meeting and support the efforts to draft a joint Arab strategy for combating terrorism. The draft strategy will be presented to Arab Information Ministers for their approval. He also said that he is glad that these meetings are held in the city that has been named the ‘Capital of Arab Media’ for the year 2020.

Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi, Director General of Watani Al Emarat Foundation, said that Arab media should promote a clear and objective discourse that avoids any sort of hate speech or extremism. He also said that hosting such meetings in the UAE highlights the country’s emergence as a role model for peaceful coexistence and tolerance. He commended the UAE media’s efforts to enhance awareness about the devastating consequences of terrorism and hate speech, and highlight the example the country has set in promoting tolerance and coexistence.

Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Arab Youth Centre, announced the hosting of the first Arab Meeting for Young Leaders.

The meeting will take place in Abu Dhabi on 10th and 11th December, 2019, in partnership with the Arab League and several international and regional organisations, and with the participation of young leaders, decision-makers, ministers and representatives of international organisations.

Sheikh Mansour called on the youth sector workers in the Arab region to draft a roadmap and joint action agenda to benefit from the participation of first, second and third-generation leaders from Arab government and semi-governmental authorities. The event will be an unconventional platform for relevant consultations, to reinforce joint government youth action, he added.