Lebanese information minister underlines media role in combating militants

The role of media is crucial in supporting security forces in combating terrorism, affirmed Lebanese Information Minister Ramzi Joreije.

The media responsibility in this sphere is complementary to the responsibility of security forces, he added during a symposium on confronting terrorism in the media held Wednesday at the premises of Middle East News Agency.

The symposium is attended by MENA Board Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Alaa Heidar along with the accompanying delegation of the Lebanese minister.

The Lebanese minister, meanwhile, said that media should be bold enough to confront hazards facing the Arab nations, including the crimes against humanity and terrorist acts which are committed under the name of religion.

The terrorists use different kinds of weapons in their aggression against the security of nations, including the media weapon, which they use to terrorize people and warn them of the consequences of confronting them, he went on to say.

He also hailed the performance of MENA in transferring reliable news to all media outlets, adding that MENA is a main source for news in the Arab world.

"The terrorism phenomenon has become epidemic, which threatens all our societies," he added.

The minister further said that confronting terrorism is not the responsibility of the regime and military powers only but it is also the responsibility of the civil society, that should support war against terrorism.

He also said that combating terrorism through military means is not enough.

The role of Arab media should be effective in confronting terrorism and endorsing a joint plan of action, including the Arab media outlets, he said.