JEDDAH, 8 April — The editors-in-chief of Gulf newspapers have been urged to be more vigilant and cautious while handling world events in the aftermath of Sept. 11, and to jointly counter the continuing anti-Arab and Anti-Muslim smear campaigns in the foreign media.
This advice was given by Minister of Information Dr. Fouad Abdul Salam Al-Farsy while addressing a meting of editors and directors of media organizations in the six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council yesterday in Riyadh.
The meeting, the fifth of its kind, was hosted by the Saudi Arabic daily, Al-Riyadh.
The minister said that the Sept. 11 attacks and their unfolding ramifications have resulted in an “unprecedented amount of pressure” on Third World countries, especially in the Arab and Muslim world.
The Gulf media, he stressed, should remain extremely careful when quoting foreign news agencies and must always work as a team, especially during times of crisis. He cited the handling of the Palestinian cause as proof of the effectiveness of collective efforts made by the Gulf media. “In order to clearly identify our course, the utmost caution and diligence must be observed as much as possible while quoting foreign news agencies. It is equally important that the team spirit prevails among us, especially in times of crisis, so we are able to face the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.
Dr. Al-Farsy criticized the continued silence of the international community toward what is happening in the occupied Palestinian territories at the hands of the Israeli army.
“Where is the international consciousness and where are those who claim to be the advocates of human rights and the defenders of freedom? That this brutal attack against the defenseless Palestinian people is taking place under the very nose of the entire world raises many questions.”
The minister said that assistance to the Palestinian people could take many forms.
“If a person has something to offer in kind or cash this would be more useful than staging demonstrations, which could be manipulated by those with vested interests,” he explained.
Turki Al-Sudairi, editor of Al-Riyadh, said journalism is no longer a national or regional business since the media are able to transcend all geographical boundaries on the Internet.
