Abu dhabi: Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, has affirmed that the media battle today is no less important than the battle of arms. This statement was made during his address at the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministers of Information, held via videoconference. The session was chaired by Dr. Ramzan Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Information for the Kingdom of Bahrain, with participation from other GCC information ministers.
According to Emirates News Agency, Al Hamed conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the participants, expressing his appreciation for the efforts of the GCC General Secretariat and the Kingdom of Bahrain in organizing the meeting. He emphasized the critical moment facing the region, which calls for a unified vision and integrated efforts to safeguard stability and public awareness.
Al Hamed condemned the recent Iranian attacks targeting GCC countries, highlighting the resilience of Gulf leaders and citizens in the face of aggression. He praised the vigilance of the UAE Armed Forces in intercepting hostile missiles and drones, asserting the importance of media in protecting public will alongside military efforts.
He extended condolences to the families of martyrs and victims across the GCC, acknowledging the sacrifices made by Gulf citizens and international residents. Al Hamed also addressed the spread of disinformation through "paid channels and accounts," proposing a joint Gulf system to counter false narratives with smart monitoring and rapid response.
Emphasizing the necessity of a unified Gulf narrative, Al Hamed outlined initiatives to strengthen media strategy, including decisive action against divisive media figures and anonymous accounts, and the establishment of an AI-equipped GCC center for real-time disinformation tracking.
The meeting underscored the progress made in media awareness and crisis management, calling for ongoing efforts to maintain regional stability and unity. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC, highlighted the vital role of media in countering disinformation, especially amid Iranian military escalation.
The ministers collectively condemned the Iranian attacks as violations of international law and a threat to regional security. They affirmed the GCC's right to self-defense and expressed appreciation for the armed forces' efforts in safeguarding national security.
The meeting concluded with a focus on enhancing coordination among GCC media institutions to counter disinformation and support stability, with a commitment to protecting the security and stability of GCC states and their peoples.