Arab information ministers urge concerted efforts against regional challenges

Several Arab information ministers called here on Thursday for promoting and reinforcing Arab media cooperation to meet challenges the Arab region is facing amid recent political changes. The call was made by the ministers during the 45th ordinary session of the Council of Arab Information Ministers. Addressing the gathering, Jordanian Information Minister Mohammad Al-Momani said plans and visions should be developed in order to promote and boost the role of Arab media role on the international arena and to cope with the latest technological advancement. He urged Arab media figures to shoulder their due national and moral responsibility for ensuring free and responsible media within the framework of freedom of opinion and expression and in line with Arab and international media and right charters. Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Abdulaziz Khoja said Arab media is facing political challenges and changes, primarily social communication networks that had an influential role in recent political, intellectual and social movements. Khoja, who is the head of the executive office of the Council of Arab Information Ministers, emphasized that Arab mass media should shed light on the dimensions of the developments of the Palestinian issue and Israeli violations and aggressions on the Palestinian people. He also stressed the significance of working out an Arab media strategy in face of terrorism that has serious impacts on the future of the Arab world in general. For his part, Secretary-General of the Arab League said a serious assessment should be carried out for Arab mass media in order to check if they keep up with the developments of Arab issues, mainly Palestine, Syria and anti-terrorism efforts. The meeting of Arab information ministers comes at a time when there are turbulent political conditions in the region which requires Arab mass media, both public and private, to live up to responsibility for facing such challenges. He called for finding a just and total solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees in line with relevant international resolutions, while calling on Arab countries to continue providing financial support for the Palestinian people