Official urges criminalizing channels supporting suicide

Head of the National Media Authority Hussein Zein called for a unified strategy to confront media platforms that undermine stability of Arab countries.

The remark was made in his speech at the opening session of the Arab Information Ministers' Council meeting on Tuesday.

Zein explained that there are several television channels that incite sectarianism, provoke ethnic and religious conflicts, support terrorist groups and interfere in the domestic affairs of countries; stressing that such organizations should be criminalized. 

Zein also highlighted the importance of achieving integration between media, cultural, educational and religious institutions to combat terrorism, calling for amending the media code of ethics. He also stressed the importance of engaging with youth in online discussions on the various social media platforms. 

"We should fight the thought of terrorist organizations and expose the authorities and countries that finance and support them. We need a strong media discourse that corresponds to the enormous challenges that are facing our Arab nation," Zein asserted.

For his part, Adviser to the head of the National Media Council in the United Arab Emirates Ibrahim Al Abed suggested adding the speech to the documents of the meeting.

Assistant secretary general and head of the media sector at the Arab League Haifa Abu Ghazalah emphasized the importance of the Information Ministers' Council meeting, pointing out that the council's agenda includes several important topics on top of which is the draft of the Arab media map for sustainable development for 2030 which focuses on poverty, health, education, food security and environment.