Manama: Efforts to combat terrorism and extremism in Arab countries and across the world will not be successful without comprehensive security, political, media, social and cultural cooperation and coordination, Bahrain’s information minister has said.
“All challenges posed by terrorism will be then taken into consideration as the countries embrace flexible mechanisms to combat the phenomenon through practical steps and effective actions commensurate with its growing global threat,” Ali Bin Mohammad Al Romaihi said ahead of an international forum on the role of the media in combating terrorism.
The forum to be held in Bahrain on December 6 by the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) will bring together politicians, media figures, academics and security officers from the GCC and other Arab countries.
“Media plays a central role in combating terrorism, a concept that is completely alien to humanity, by raising awareness of its dangers and the need to confront it and by not providing any space to promote extremist ideas. A conscious and enlightened media discourse is crucial in tackling terrorism and its ideology,” Al Romaihi, the BIPD chairman, said.
He added that the forum was part of efforts exerted by Bahrain to combat terrorism.
“We look forward to contributions from the forum to the development of a comprehensive Arab media strategy to confront terrorism aimed at raising awareness about the scourge and to address all its aspects through an enlightening media discourse that promotes a culture of tolerance and moderation in society,” he said.
“The forum will seek to enhance the freedom of responsible media, stress the common frameworks with security requirements, raise awareness of the dangers and impact of terrorism on political stability and enhance the democratic process in the Arab world.”
Themes of the forum include a discussion of the legislation governing the media and its ability to confront terrorism, the definition of freedom of information and its applicability to the Arab situation, the cultural causes of terrorism and the mechanisms to overcome them, the role of Arab media in confronting terrorism and the future of the media in light of the escalation of terrorist crimes in the region.
The first session in the one-day event will be on “Terrorism and freedom of information between international conventions and Arab legislation,” and will address the definition of terrorism and related concepts in both international and Arab conventions and in legislation governing the media and its ability to counter terrorism.
The second session, “Arab media in the face of terrorism — Strengths and Weaknesses” will address the role of the Arab media in confronting terrorism and cultural specificity as a guarantor of freedom of information.
The third session, in a round-table format, will bring together a group of media professionals and intellectuals in an attempt to forecast the future of the media.
