The Arab Quartet called on its media to work against extremist ideologies and act as a counter the region's politicised outlets who aim to undermining security.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt's information ministers met in Abu Dhabi on Monday as part of their unified counter-terror efforts in the region and beyond.
The ministers - Saudi Arabia's Dr Awad Salih Al Awad; Ali bin Mohammed Al Ramahi, the minister of information of Bahrain, Makram Mohammed Ahmed, President of the Egyptian Higher Council for Media Regulation and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of National Media Council - highlighted the importance of the role played by thinkers and thought leaders in influencing communities and forming public opinion.
They also called upon media outlets and think-tanks to work together to protect Arab communities, particularly young people, against extremist ideologies.
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed meets information ministers
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"We count a lot on the rising generation to continue the march of building and renaissance in the entire region and in our four countries in particular," the ministers said in a statement. "We should also focus on social media platforms, the most influential means of public opinion in the Arab communities."
The ministers called for a shared strategy between the four countries to increase the share of "positive content and culture of optimism and hope through these media platforms in the face of extremism and violence content."
The meeting was attended by a number of media professionals to allow knowledge transfer between the four countries in combating terrorist financing and fighting those supporting and harbouring extremists. The meeting reviewed coordination between media outlets in the four countries and identifying one media vision for dealing with regional developments.
