GCC Information Ministers hold 26th meeting

Muscat: The GCC Ministers of Information today held their 26th meeting via videoconferencing under the chairmanship of Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al Harrasi, Minister of Information, Chairman of the current session.

The meeting covered various issues of common interest in the field of media in the GCC states. The ministers discussed means of developing a strategy to raise awareness about dealing with social media platforms, with a view to addressing their negative impacts in the upbringing of young people. They laid emphasis on urging children to stick to good manners. They also called for preserving family values and maintaining a civilized moral identity.

The meeting touched on ways to forge common determinants for sound electronic media content, digital advertisements and licenses in social media. It underscored the need to activate the role of GCC missions abroad and draw up a media plan that enables them to highlight the integrated Gulf action.

The ministers also discussed a proposal to develop a joint electronic app for news agencies that showcases their media services.

The meeting also discussed the serious developments in Palestine, notably Israel’s escalating military operations against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip. The ministers affirmed GCC state’s firm stance—in backing Palestine—that was expressed in the extraordinary session of GCC foreign ministers held in Muscat yesterday.

During the meeting, the Sultanate of Oman emphasized the key role of the media in supporting the Palestinian people and disclosing the violations carried out against them. This situation led to a major humanitarian crisis that left thousands of Palestinians dead or injured.