Baghdad-INA
Iraq has backed efforts to update the Arab media action plan abroad and expressed support for establishing a joint Arab platform to counter disinformation and hate speech, the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC) said on Tuesday.
Jader Al-Jader, Director of the Media Regulation Department at the CMC and Iraq’s representative at the sixth meeting of the expert team tasked with updating the Arab media action plan abroad, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the meeting was part of a series of preparatory sessions ahead of meetings scheduled to be held in Libya in September for the Permanent Committee for Arab Media, the Executive Bureau, and the Arab Information Ministers Council.
He said the meeting focused on the Arab media action plan abroad, describing it as one of the key files to be discussed in the coming phase because of its role in addressing stereotypes about Arabs, Muslims, and Arab citizens overseas.
Al-Jader said the plan includes several pillars and implementation timelines, including the establishment of an Arab Media Observatory, a proposal previously submitted by Iraq.
He added that participants also discussed an implementation plan for the project, as well as the creation of an integrated joint Arab platform to combat hate speech and counter false and misleading content targeting Arabs abroad.
According to Al-Jader, Iraq supported most of the proposals presented during the meeting and suggested that Arab states which had submitted initiatives provide the Arab League’s General Secretariat with implementation timetables before September, ahead of their submission to the Executive Bureau and the ministerial council for approval. He said the proposal aimed to prevent initiatives from being repeatedly deferred without fixed implementation deadlines.
Al-Jader said the challenges facing Arab countries require media outlets to adopt a professional and responsible discourse that reflects the reality of Arab societies, highlights the positive image of Islam domestically and internationally, strengthens the image of Arabs abroad, and monitors and responds effectively to Western and foreign media narratives concerning Arabs and Muslims.
The correspondent of INA said a delegation from Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission participated in the sixth meeting of the expert team on evaluating and updating the Arab media action plan abroad, held at the headquarters of the Arab League General Secretariat in Cairo with representatives from Arab states and chaired by Jordan.
The meeting focused on developing an implementation plan for Arab media programs abroad to strengthen the presence of Arab media and improve engagement with international public opinion through the use of modern digital tools.
Experts also discussed several Arab media initiatives, including upgrading the Arab League’s electronic portal, advancing digital media diplomacy, strengthening the role of the Arab Media Professionals Group and the Media Observatory for Sustainable Development, and reviewing implementation of the Arab Media Strategy and the 2030 Media Map for Sustainable Development.
