Emir tells media to be impartial, responsible

QNA

VIENNA THE Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani on Wednesday called upon the media to be ‘impartial and ethically responsible’ stressing that the success of dialogue among civilisations depended largely on ‘the rationality and impartiality of the media’.

Addressing the opening session of the 5th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), HH the Emir said, “Freedom of expression is vital but not enough. It must be coupled with responsibility.

I am talking here about the ethical and humanitarian responsibility, and not the political.” “The growing responsibility of media in portraying the right image of a civilisation while avoiding preconceptions and stereotyping others, and looking at factual things to judge accordingly, make the success of the dialogue among civilisations depend largely on the level of rationality and impartiality in media.

“The media should also take into consideration the fact that they have a mission and a humanitarian responsibility,” HH the Emir said.

HH the Emir added that even under the restrictions of market laws, media’s mission should go beyond excitement and securing high viewership rates, warning that writers and journalists might be carrying preconceived notions as a result of their own upbringing and nurture.

“Therefore, we underline the importance of consolidating the effort to correct fallacies and address all destructive trends that promote the spread of hatred, extremism and violence and block the prospects of dialogue and alliance among civilisations,” HH the Emir said tp conclude his remarks.

Meanwhile, HH the Emir and HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser attended a luncheon banquet hosted in honour of their highnesses the heads of delegations participating in the 5th Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations at Hofburg Palace in Vienna.

Earlier in the day, HH the Emir and HH Sheikha Moza met with Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of UNAOC. During the meeting, they discussed a set of topics tabled on the agenda of the UNAOC and other issues of mutual concern.

On leaving Vienna, HH the Emir sent a cable of gratitude to Austrian President Heinz Fischer, thanking him for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him, HH Sheikh Moza and the accompanying delegation during their stay.

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