JEDDAH, 29 May 2004 — The print and electronic media must be used to promote world peace and bring people closer together instead of allowing themselves to be harnessed by vested interests, Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Al-Maeena said yesterday.
Al-Maeena told a media seminar and award ceremony organized by the Assembly for Guidance, Education and Service (AGES) at the Trident Hotel the media must also project values and fight for rights.
He presented the AGES Award to M.C.A. Nasser, chief reporter of Gulf Madhyamam daily, for his coverage of the US-led war on Iraq from Baghdad.
In a keynote address titled “Post-Sept. 11 International Media”, Al-Maeena urged people to put the attacks on New York and Washington behind them and join hands to ward off new dangers.
He was, however, critical of the United States for its arrogance as the world’s only superpower, but added, “Americans in general are good people.”
The seminar was attended by a large number of expatriates from the south Indian state of Kerala, and Al-Maeena thanked the expatriates for their contribution to the Kingdom’s development.
In his address, M.C.A. Nasser spoke of his gruesome experiences while on assignment in Baghdad. “I was trying to give the other side of the story as I focused on the suffering of the Iraqi people while others, mostly Westerners were highlighting the military might of the US and the allied forces.”
V. Saleem, vice president of AGES who chaired the seminar, highlighted the importance of the media in modern world, while Vallanchira Muhammad Ali, a prominent social worker, V.P. Muhammad Ali of the Jeddah National Hospital and Ashraf Ali of Seagulls Restaurant also presented awards to Nasser.
