Sultan Al Housni, Secretary-General of the International Press and Media Organization (IPMO) – Netherlands, announced the official launch of the International Center for Combating Media Disinformation (ICCMD), the first independent, non-profit international Arab center dedicated to combating media disinformation.
The launch marks a strategic milestone aimed at strengthening media integrity, promoting a culture of verification, and developing professional solutions to address the growing challenges of media disinformation in the digital age.
Al Housni stated that the establishment of the Center comes in response to the rapidly evolving global media landscape by creating an international platform that brings together media professionals and experts to advance research, develop professional standards, strengthen institutional capacities, and foster international cooperation to safeguard the credibility of information and support responsible journalism.
As part of its commitment to the highest standards of governance and institutional leadership, IPMO has approved the formation of the Center’s inaugural Board of Directors, chaired by Mr. Isa Al Shayji, President of the Bahrain Journalists Association, and composed of a distinguished group of Arab media leaders holding senior positions in leading journalism and media institutions:
- Dr. Younes Moujahid, Media Sociology Expert and President of Nahj Foundation for Studies and Communication, Kingdom of Morocco.
- Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Ariami, President of the Oman Journalists Association.
- Mr. Tareq Al Momani, President of the Jordan Press Association.
- Ms. Fadila Al Muaini, President of the UAE Journalists Association.
- Ms. Rabia 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 composition of the Board reflects the Organization’s commitment to drawing upon the extensive expertise of distinguished Arab media professionals with proven records in leading journalism and media institutions. Their collective experience will strengthen the Center’s ability to establish impactful partnerships and develop professional initiatives with regional and international reach.
The Center will serve as a specialized international platform dedicated to monitoring and analyzing media content, verifying information, developing professional guidelines and standards, producing specialized studies, research papers, and reports, delivering training and capacity-building programs, and enhancing cooperation with media organizations, academic institutions, research centers, and international organizations. These efforts aim to reinforce media integrity, strengthen public trust in information, and promote professional journalism founded on accuracy, transparency, and independence.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. Isa Al Shayji, 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, fosters a culture of verification, and supports responsible journalism in addressing the rapidly evolving challenges facing today’s global media landscape. I am honored to chair a Board of Directors composed of some of the Arab world’s most distinguished media leaders, whose extensive professional and institutional expertise will significantly strengthen the Center’s ability to fulfill its mission and build meaningful partnerships at both the regional and international levels.”
He added:
“The Center will focus on developing professional solutions to combat media disinformation through specialized research, analytical studies, and strategic reports. It will also establish professional standards and practical guidelines, implement training and capacity-building programs, and strengthen cooperation with media institutions, universities, research organizations, and international partners. These efforts will contribute to promoting a culture of verification, enhancing public confidence in media content, and supporting professional journalism based on accuracy, transparency, and editorial independence.”
The International Press and Media Organization emphasized that the launch of the Center marks the beginning of a new phase of international institutional cooperation built upon strategic partnerships, knowledge exchange, and the development of innovative professional initiatives. Through these efforts, the Center aims to advance media integrity, institutionalize a culture of verification, and contribute to a more responsible, credible, and trustworthy global media environment.
