Jeddah – The International Forum on Propaganda of Hate and Violence in the Media is set to commence next Sunday, November 26, 2023, in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The forum is a collaborative effort between the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA) and the Deputy Secretariat for Corporate Communication of the Muslim World League.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the event will be inaugurated by high-profile figures including His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, His Excellency Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and His Excellency Ahmed Assaf, General Supervisor of Official Media of the State of Palestine. The forum is expected to draw participation from leading Islamic and international news agencies, as well as distinguished religious, intellectual, legal, human rights figures, and leaders of international organizations.
The forum’s agenda includes a variety of topics with a focus on “Prejudice and Misrepresentations in International Media: The Palestinian Question as a Model.” This theme aims to address the media’s handling of international issues, particularly those with religious implications, and to examine the detrimental effects of biased and incendiary media discourse on societies. A key goal of the forum is to establish a unified international stance against misrepresentation, prejudice, and the proliferation of hatred in media narratives.
The conference will receive extensive coverage from Arab and Islamic news agencies and several international institutions through various media channels. This level of attention underscores the forum’s significance as a major media solidarity initiative in addressing critical international issues. The joint involvement of media arms from two major Islamic organizations highlights the event’s importance for Islamic communities, including scholars, intellectuals, youth, and political entities.
In addition to heads of news agencies from UN member states, the forum will also welcome leaders of international news agency unions, representatives of international media institutions, media outlets affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, diplomats, and journalists. The forum is designed to serve as an international platform to discuss strategies for diminishing the spread of hatred and violence in the media, particularly in relation to sensitive cultural and religious topics.
Furthermore, the event aims to establish general guidelines and principles for media coverage of complex and sensitive issues that often lead to disputes and conflicts. This will be facilitated through sessions and roundtables involving officials, media experts, intellectuals, and religious leaders, focusing on enhancing responsible and balanced media practices and fostering communication across diverse religions and cultures.