RIYADH, 8 November 2007 — In a Saudi initiative aimed at closing the gap between the media and media departments in governments in the Arab world, a joint meeting between private and government-owned Arab media organizations was held here yesterday.
Interior Minister Prince Naif opened the meeting which was attended by Arab media relations security representatives and representatives of government and private Arab media organizations.
“I hope the meeting contributes to enhancing the cooperation between security departments and media organizations,” said Interior Minister Prince Naif. “It will bring together on the ground security skills and the effectiveness of the word in fighting crime.”
Prince Naif said that through productive cooperation and mutual understanding, the media and governments could form the most important elements in confronting the effect of changes in the region. “Those changes have had an effect on Arab communities, both directly or indirectly,” he said, “affecting the foundations of Arab society’s ideologies, politics, social lives, people’s behavior and directions.”
The interior minister said that in combating crime, with terrorism on top of the list, there was a need for serious cooperation in protecting communities from the danger that he described as “a threat to the very existence of mankind.”
Prince Naif added that in confronting the threat it was a necessity for organized and effective ideological and media efforts to work alongside each other with on-the-ground security measures to enhance security efforts in fighting terrorism in order to prevent and treat the causes.
The meeting made several recommendations for improved relations and cooperation between the security forces and citizens in order to create an awareness about the role of the citizens in combating crime. The recommendations included the formation of joint national committees that would meet periodically to discuss means of bolstering confidence in, and interaction between, the media in each country and the security media departments under the supervision of interior ministries.
The recommendations included the training of journalists for specialized reporting of security matters so that the security news and achievements could be presented in the right perspective.
The meeting also urged the media to make maximum use of the statements on security matters issued by the ministries of interior, general secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers and the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences.
The recommendations underscored the need for media efforts to create increased social awareness about the citizens’ role in preventing and combating crimes. The media should help form strong public opinion about the vital role of the security forces in ensuring the security of the public and their property in addition to maintaining the stability of the country. The public should also learn about the role of the security forces in preparing the atmosphere suitable for progress and prosperity.
The meeting also recommended the security media devices and the local media to cooperate with religious, educational, cultural, social and sport organizations and various civil establishments to guarantee effective participation of citizens in countering crimes.
Another recommendation was to appoint official spokesmen at the interior ministries to supply the media with required information with speed and transparency. It also recommended appointing officials with media specializations in the security information departments.
