Interior Ministry urges media to help fight extremism

RIYADH: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has stressed the importance of the media’s role in helping security forces fight extremism.
“The media dish out news on all aspects of citizens’ lives but should also help in the fight against extremism,” said MoI Spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki.
Al-Turki made the statement during a seminar titled “Let us learn about crimes and terrorism” at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.
The seminar was organized by the International Book Fair with writer Dr. Osama bin Saeed Al-Qahtani as moderator.
Al-Turki noted that local media not not only report about security and terrorism but also deal with other subjects that affect everyday life.
He said that the media could spin tales to entertain by presenting a soap opera but it could also help stamp out extremism which has recruited adherents in various places.
“In carrying this out, the media could present stories and drama aimed to entertain and at the same time convey a meaningful social message,” he said.
He urged the media to seize the opportunity of contributing to a collective undertaking of maintaining security as well as peace and order in the Kingdom.
He said that in pitching in for a nationalistic endeavor, the media could take advantage of using modern means of communication.
These include the social media — such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, among others — to which millions in the Kingdom and around the world have gravitated.
He added that the media are expected to relay factual information to citizens regarding the alarming ideas that underlie the intentions of extremists.
Al-Turki added that the Kingdom is determined to expand its role as well as its campaign in the fight against terrorism beyond its borders.