Dubai: Advisor Sultan Al-Hosani, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Journalists and Media - Netherlands, announced the official launch of the first independent, non-profit Arab international center, the International Center for Combating Disinformation (ICCMD). This strategic step aims to enhance media integrity, cultivate a culture of verification, and develop professional solutions to address the growing challenges posed by the digital landscape to the media industry.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the organization affirmed that the center's launch marks the beginning of a new phase of international institutional work, focused on building partnerships, exchanging expertise, and developing professional initiatives. This will contribute to strengthening media integrity, establishing a culture of verification, and supporting a more responsible and credible professional media.
Based on the organization's commitment to upholding the highest standards of governance and institutional leadership, it approved the formation of the center's first board of directors, chaired by Issa Al-Shayji, President of the Bahrain Journalists Association. The board also includes a select group of Arab media leaders holding leadership positions in prominent media and journalistic institutions and organizations, including Dr. Younes Mjahed, an expert in the sociology of media and President of the Nahj Foundation for Studies and Communication - Kingdom of Morocco; Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Araimi, President of the Omani Journalists Association; Tariq Al-Momani, President of the Jordanian Journalists Association; Fadila Al-Muaini, President of the UAE Journalists Association; Rabia Hussein Makki Al-Jumah, Board Member of the Kuwaiti Journalists Association; and Fawaz Ahmed Suleiman, Executive Director of the Bahraini Journalists Association.
The formation of the Board of Directors reflects the organization's commitment to leveraging the expertise of Arab media professionals with proven track records in leading press and media institutions. This will enhance the center's ability to build effective partnerships and develop professional initiatives with regional and international impact.
The center will serve as a specialized international platform for monitoring and analyzing media content, verifying information, developing professional standards and guidelines, preparing specialized studies, research, and reports, implementing training and capacity-building programs, and fostering cooperation with media, academic, and research institutions and international organizations. This will contribute to establishing media integrity, strengthening trust in information, and supporting professional journalism based on accuracy, transparency, and independence.