Counselor Sultan Al Hosani, Secretary-General of the International Organization for Press and Media – Netherlands, announced that the organization has officially launched the International Center for Combating Media Disinformation (ICCMD), the first independent, non-profit international Arab center dedicated to combating media disinformation. The strategic initiative aims to strengthen media integrity, promote a culture of verification, and develop professional solutions to address the challenges of media disinformation in the digital age.

He emphasized that the launch of the Center comes in response to the rapidly evolving challenges facing the global media landscape, through the establishment of an international platform that brings together media expertise, contributes to the development of studies and professional standards, builds capacities, and enhances international cooperation to protect the credibility of information and support responsible journalism.

As part of the organization’s commitment to establishing the highest standards of governance and institutional leadership, the first Board of Directors of the Center has been approved under the chairmanship of Mr. Issa Al Shaiji, President of the Bahrain Journalists Association. The Board includes a distinguished group of Arab media leaders who hold senior positions in prominent media and journalistic institutions and associations:

• Dr. Younes Moujahid, expert in the sociology of media and President of Nahj Foundation for Studies and Communication – Kingdom of Morocco.
• Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Araimi, Chairman of the Omani Journalists Association.
• Mr. Tariq Al Momani, President of the Jordan Press Association.
• Ms. Fadila Al Muaini, Chairperson of the UAE Journalists Association.
• Ms. Rabaa Hussein Makki Al Jumaa, Board Member and Director of the Kuwait Journalists Association.
• Mr. Fawaz Ahmed Suleiman, Executive Director of the Bahrain Journalists Association.

The formation of the Board reflects the organization’s commitment to benefiting from the expertise of Arab media leaders with strong professional and institutional records in leading press and media organizations. This will strengthen 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 guidelines and standards, preparing specialized studies, research, and reports, implementing training and capacity-building programs, and strengthening cooperation with media, academic, and research institutions as well as international organizations.

These efforts aim to reinforce media integrity, strengthen public trust in information, and support professional journalism based on accuracy, transparency, and independence.

Mr. Issa Al Shaiji, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Center for Combating Media Disinformation, said:

“The launch of the International Center for Combating Media Disinformation represents a strategic step toward establishing a specialized international platform that promotes media integrity, strengthens a culture of verification, and supports responsible journalism in addressing the rapidly evolving challenges facing the global media landscape. It is an honor to lead a Board of Directors comprising distinguished Arab media leaders with extensive professional and institutional expertise, which will enhance the Center’s ability to fulfill its mission and build effective partnerships at both the regional and international levels.”

He added:

“The Center will focus on developing professional solutions, preparing specialized studies, research, and reports, developing professional standards and guidelines, implementing training and capacity-building programs, and strengthening cooperation with media, academic, and research institutions and international organizations. These efforts will contribute to promoting a culture of verification, strengthening trust in media content, and supporting professional journalism founded on accuracy, transparency, and independence.”

The organization confirmed that the launch of the Center marks the beginning of a new phase of international institutional work based on building partnerships, exchanging expertise, and developing professional initiatives. These efforts are intended to strengthen media integrity, promote a culture of verification, and support more responsible and credible professional journalism.