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Jeddah Charter for Media Responsibility Combats Vice, Counters Hate Speech

International media solidarity stand against bias and misrepresentation regarding the Palestinian Cause (Asharq Al-Awsat)
International media solidarity stand against bias and misrepresentation regarding the Palestinian Cause (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Jeddah Charter for Media Responsibility Combats Vice, Counters Hate Speech

International media solidarity stand against bias and misrepresentation regarding the Palestinian Cause (Asharq Al-Awsat)
International media solidarity stand against bias and misrepresentation regarding the Palestinian Cause (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The international forum themed “The Role of Media in Inciting Hatred and Violence – Risks of Misinformation and Bias,” has concluded in Jeddah, issuing the “Charter of Media Responsibility.”

The forum recommended the establishment of a unified international law to regulate media ethics. Additionally, the forum endorsed standards for responsible media practice and advocated for national and international laws to deter all forms of hatred.

The forum also pledged national and international support for enhancing the media message, raising awareness of various concepts and implications, using media as a soft power to serve humanitarian causes, resolve conflicts, and strengthen civilisational alliances among nations and peoples in countering hatred.

In a session on the role of religious institutions and leaders in combating hate speech and violence in media platforms, Father Nabil Haddad, the founder and director of the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Center (JICRC), discussed an initiative he presented to Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat about the details of the initiative, Haddad stressed the duty to exert positive influence, drawing a parallel with humanity uniting against the coronavirus pandemic.

He urged a unified effort to confront the virus of hatred, asserting that in this era, the world needs peacebuilders.

The initiative he proposed calls for an alliance between Christians and Muslims to reject hatred.

Arab and Islamic history is rich with examples of harmony and concord, which should serve as a model for others, stressed Haddad.

Haddad clarified that the Christian-Islamic Alliance program, outlined in his proposal, calls for celebrating affection, incorporating discourse marked by wisdom and virtuous admonition.

He emphasized the need to collaborate by organizing seminars, conferences, and dialogues.

The goal is to bring together media professionals and religious leaders to support a media discourse centered on affection.

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Gulf

Arab Solidarity with Qatar After Iranian Missile Strike

Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
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Arab Solidarity with Qatar After Iranian Missile Strike

Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

In a unified show of Arab solidarity, several Gulf and regional nations strongly condemned Iran’s missile strike on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, denouncing it as a flagrant violation of international law, regional sovereignty, and the principles of good neighborliness.

Saudi Arabia led the regional response, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing a sharply worded statement condemning the strike as an “unjustifiable and unacceptable act” that violated international norms. Riyadh reaffirmed its full support for Qatar, pledging to mobilize all available resources to assist its Gulf neighbor in any measures it deems necessary.

Bahrain echoed the Kingdom’s stance, condemning the IRGC’s aggression as a clear breach of Qatari sovereignty and airspace. Manama’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the “bond of brotherhood and blood” that ties Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, urging restraint and peaceful resolution of disputes while affirming its unwavering support for Doha.

The United Arab Emirates condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it a blatant violation of Qatari sovereignty and a dangerous escalation. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry expressed full solidarity with Qatar and underscored the importance of protecting civilians and maintaining regional stability. It warned that continued military provocations could lead the region into dangerous and irreversible consequences.

For its part, Kuwait described the strike as a “grave breach” of Qatari airspace and sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry declared its total support for Qatar’s leadership and people, backing their right to respond appropriately to such an attack. Kuwait also offered to mobilize its full capabilities to support its Gulf partner.

Oman, while emphasizing its commitment to de-escalation, also denounced Iran’s strike as a violation of the sovereignty of a fellow GCC member. Muscat pointed to Israel’s earlier unlawful strike on Iranian territory as a trigger for the current escalation and warned that expanding the conflict would only lead to greater instability and humanitarian suffering.

Iraq expressed deep concern about the intensifying regional conflict. Its Foreign Ministry called for immediate restraint, warning that the Iranian strike marked a dangerous turning point that could draw more actors into an already volatile confrontation.

The Secretary-General of the GCC, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, issued a strong statement condemning the Iranian missile attack as a violation of Qatari sovereignty and a threat to the collective security of the Gulf states. He stressed that Qatar’s security is inseparable from that of the entire GCC and called on the international community and the UN Security Council to hold Iran accountable for its destabilizing actions.