Al-Wazzan calls for commitment to codes of honor and presenting a realistic media discourse that protects Arab societies
Professor Dr. Abdul Karim Al-Wazan, Chairman of the Media Committee at the Union of Afro-Asia Universities and Secretary-General of the conference “New Media and Its Role in Promoting Social Security and Economic Development,” called for the delivery of a realistic and logical media discourse that avoids hatred and enmity, promotes affection and harmony, and respects the customs and traditions of different societies. He urged Arab media outlets to adhere to the principles of media ethics, noting the role of Arab politicians in hindering the implementation of these principles.
In an interview with Yemen Today TV, Al-Wazan emphasized the need for media content to be meticulously prepared by communication specialists who are well-versed academically, professionally, legally, and technologically, to ensure the delivery of a realistic and logical message that avoids hate speech and promotes peace and harmony without infringing on customs and traditions.
He added, “It is crucial for new media to design its discourse based on full awareness, free from personal interests, and without harming society and its cultures, while promoting societal and economic awareness.”
Al-Wazan pointed out that achieving this requires unified media policies, clear laws, and improved top-level policies in Arab countries to combat unemployment. He emphasized the importance of addressing these factors to achieve a positive impact on media messages, ultimately leading to intellectual immunity within society.
He believes that policies are the foundation for a constructive media discourse, stating that when a government is sound, honest media policies follow, serving the audience and communication professionals alike. The message then becomes clear, transparent, honest, and free from misinformation and exaggeration. However, when higher political powers focus on self-interest, diverting resources to wars, and restricting the audience’s awareness, this leads to severe consequences.
Al-Wazan also highlighted the shift in public opinion across the Arab world, from passive to active, due to rising awareness and the influence of new media. He noted that media outlets with a positive and professional approach have the potential to guide public opinion in pressuring decision-makers.
Regarding the effects of new media on society and public opinion, Al-Wazan described it as highly sensitive, influenced by both positive and negative factors, shaped by the vast technological advancements brought by the internet and the evolution of modern media.
He elaborated that the positive factors include the rapid dissemination of ideas, the achievement of goals, economic and social benefits, intellectual development, and the fostering of constructive cultural exchanges. On the other hand, the negative factors include exploitation, privacy violations, social isolation, and threats to national security and social cohesion.
Al-Wazan stressed the importance of activating media codes of ethics to regulate media discourse. He added, “There are Arab media codes of ethics that have been amended through several meetings of media ministers. These codes have evolved in response to the continuous development of the media, and we must take advantage of them.”
He also noted the failure of some Arab media institutions to adhere to these ethical codes, attributing this to several factors, with political control over media being the most significant.
Al-Wazan explained that private media institutions have become more powerful than state-owned media, adding, “Even in the most advanced countries, news flow cannot be fully controlled, but there is a need for regulations, such as clear laws, strict enforcement, increased awareness, and transparency in media discourse.”
On the necessary regulations, Al-Wazan stated that they depend on many factors, the first being the existence of legislative policies that govern media laws, media violations, and family upbringing, which is the most important element before education.
He highlighted the need to revise educational curricula, as media education has become as important as other subjects. He added, “In many conferences, we have emphasized the need to teach media subjects in high schools.”
Al-Wazan also pointed to their role in the Union of Afro-Asia Universities in providing recommendations to decision-makers and enriching the media library through international conferences held in various countries in the region.
He revealed that the Union will organize several conferences by the end of the year, with the nearest taking place from August 22-24 in Morocco. The first conference will focus on new media and social responsibility, and the second will address women’s issues.
Al-Wazan stated, “In the first conference, we will discuss the role of media in regulating society, preserving the economy, promoting responsible consumption, maintaining social cohesion, and the role of media in youth development.”
He mentioned that summaries of dozens of research papers have been received so far, reflecting the importance of community-oriented media.
It is worth noting that Professor Ashraf Al-Darfily is the general supervisor of the conference, Professor Abdul Karim Al-Wazan is the Secretary-General, Professor Abdul Razzaq Al-Dulaimi is the Chairman of the Scientific Committee, and Dr. Magda Mahmoud is the Head of the Media Committee, while Dr. Mohamed Abdel Aziz will manage the conference.
