RIYADH, Jan 11: Saudi Information Minister Majid Al-Qasabi on Tuesday stated that the Arab official news agencies have a crucial role to play to improve news and media content, expose fake news and raise people's awareness. Speaking at the inaugural session of the 48th Conference of the General Assembly of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA) which commenced in Riyadh today, Al-Qasabi, who doubles as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), called for greater cooperation among Arab news agencies to provide people with credible information and to stand as a bulwark against the torrent of fake news flooding the internet, particularly social media outlets.

In his speech, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) President Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran echoed a similar view. He underlined the need for a major overhaul to Arab news agencies work and plans to cope up with the rapid changes in the media scene. He hoped conference's the decisions and recommendations would be a launching point for a new era that keeps pace with the recent developments. For his part, Director General and Editor-in-Chief of the Omani News Agency Ibrahim bin Zahran Al-Azri commended the efforts of FANA member agencies to implement the joint cooperation programs listed on the recommendations of the previous meetings. These programs have enhanced FANA's ability to realize the planed goals, he said. He noted that this was reflected positively on the content of the FANA website through subjects that meet media aspirations, in realization for joint integration and cooperation in highlighting various development efforts in FANA member states.

Participants in the conference discussed issues listed on the agenda related to the professional and organizational aspects of the federation, in addition to means to develop media performance for member agencies and the activities of the federation in the coming period. Kuwait News Agency was represented at the meeting by Acting Director General Talal Al-Kandari and head of the Marketing and Public Relations Department Essam Al-Rowaih. (KUNA)