Abdulla Al Hamed: Media battle equals battle of arms today

Al Hamed made the remarks during the extraordinary meeting of GCC Ministers of Information, held via videoconference and chaired by Ramzan Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Information of Bahrain and the current session chair, with the participation of ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

At the beginning of his speech, Al Hamed conveyed the greetings of Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, to the participants and wished success for the meeting, while also thanking the GCC General Secretariat and Bahrain for organising the session.

Call for Gulf media sovereignty

Al Hamed emphasised that the region faces a pivotal moment requiring unity and coordinated efforts, noting that the meeting aims to define the aspects of media sovereignty and reaffirm that responsible media plays a crucial role in safeguarding stability and protecting public awareness.

He vehemently condemned the Iranian attacks against Gulf countries, emphasising that such aggression will not diminish the resolve of Gulf leaders or discourage their peoples from pursuing development.

Tribute to armed forces and martyrs

The Chairman commended the vigilance of the UAE Armed Forces and military institutions across GCC states, emphasising their role in intercepting hostile missiles and drones and safeguarding their countries' sovereignty.

He also extended condolences to the families of martyrs and victims who lost their lives in the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, noting that the blood of Gulf citizens has been shed alongside that of international residents living peacefully in the region.

GCC strategy to combat disinformation

Al Hamed warned about the spread of false narratives by certain media outlets and anonymous online accounts, describing them as “electronic arms” seeking to accomplish through misinformation what missiles could not.

He proposed a joint Gulf system to combat disinformation centred on three pillars: smart monitoring of misinformation, rapid refutation through verified narratives, and immediate coordination among GCC media institutions.

He also proposed setting up a 24-hour GCC monitoring centre equipped with artificial intelligence to track disinformation campaigns and assist media decision-making.

Ministers condemn attacks and affirm right to self-defence

During the meeting, GCC information ministers strongly condemned the Iranian attacks targeting GCC countries, describing them as a serious breach of international law and the UN Charter, and as a direct threat to regional security.

They affirmed that GCC states reserve their legal right to respond in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which guarantees the right of self-defence, and praised the efforts of armed forces and security institutions across the Gulf in safeguarding national security.

The ministers also conveyed their condolences to the families of martyrs and victims across GCC countries and prayed for the recovery of those injured. They emphasised the importance of enhancing coordination among official media agencies to combat rumours and misinformation and to strengthen public awareness in Gulf societies.