Doha, January 28 (QNA) – Chairman of the Union of Radio and Television of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States, Dr. Amr Al Leithi, affirmed that the State of Qatar is among the most active and influential countries supporting all the Union's activities.

In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the sidelines of his visit to Qatar, Dr. Al Leithi said that this visit reflects the depth of the relationship between the Union and the State of Qatar, and the active role Doha plays in supporting Arab and Islamic media.

He added that the State of Qatar is a member of the Executive Committee of the OIC Member States and is among the most active and influential countries supporting all the Union's activities, noting that this support is manifested through several key areas, including Qatar's membership in the Union's various committees, its membership in the Executive Council and the General Assembly, in addition to its continuous support for all the Union's activities and initiatives in the field of media work.

Chairman of OIC States Broadcasting Union said that during his visit to Doha, he met with HE CEO of the Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al-Thani. Several meetings were also held at various levels, both with His Excellency and with representatives of Qatari media institutions, during which numerous issues related to strengthening support and solidifying the strong and robust relations with the State of Qatar were discussed.

Dr. Al Leithi affirmed that the State of Qatar has a long history in the field of media work and possesses distinguished media infrastructure and outputs, whether in visual, audio, electronic, or print media, including distinguished newspapers and publications. He emphasized that this media standing is clear and well-established.

He noted that an agreement was reached with officials of the Qatar Media Corporation on a number of important matters, most notably those related to 2027, which has been designated the Year of Arab Media, and the selection of Doha as Arab Media Capital for 2027.

In this context, Dr. Al Leithi noted the Union intends to establish and launch a major media festival in 2027, celebrating innovators in various fields of media creativity. Through this festival, the Union seeks to encourage media works that support the thought and values ​​of Arab and Islamic countries.

He added that it was agreed that the State of Qatar would sponsor the festival of the Union of Radio and Television Organizations of the OIC, noting that the festival will encompass various forms of audio-visual media, in addition to electronic media.

Dr. Al Leithi also addressed the topic of Quran radio stations, noting that the State of Qatar is chairing the seventh session of the committee dedicated to Quran radio stations. In this context, Qatar will host the next meeting of heads of Quran radio stations in September 2026. The meeting will also honor prominent Quran reciters from across the Arab and Islamic world, as well as leading figures in Quranic programming across Quran radio stations.

He pointed out that the meeting will be accompanied by a scientific media forum attended by the heads of radio and television authorities in member states, along with senior media figures in Arab and Islamic countries who enjoy widespread popularity and influence. He noted that the forum will witness a series of workshops specializing in artificial intelligence, the challenges of the age, media work in the digital age, and how to deal with artificial intelligence, in addition to discussing issues of verifying the accuracy of news in a complex media world where clear mechanisms for distinguishing true news from false news are not always available.

He noted that the Doha Forum is a continuation of the forum that was held in the Emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates last year.

Dr. Al Leithi stressed that the State of Qatar’s sponsorship and hosting of the Media Forum, the meeting of the heads of Holy Quran radio stations, and the Media Festival, reflect the State’s great interest in supporting Arab and Islamic media, and confirm the approach that Qatar is taking in promoting media unity and integration instead of competition, in light of the customs and traditions that unite Arab and Islamic countries.

Chairman of the Union of Radio and Television of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States, Dr. Amr Al Leithi affirmed in an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) his keenness to enhance joint cooperation and develop the Union and its committees. He stressed that this development would not have been possible without the support of the member states, noting that among the most prominent supporters were the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, among others. Their support contributed to revitalizing the Union and strengthening its media presence through its digital platforms, in addition to media production, including the production of a television series to teach Arabic to non-native speakers, which was gifted to the Qatar Media Corporation, he added.

He explained that a news exchange sector had been established, along with the ASBU Academy, which includes a distinguished group of senior media professors and experts from Arab and Islamic countries. The academy has implemented a large number of in-person and remote training courses. He also noted that the Union has expanded the scope of its cooperation with Asian, African, European, and Chinese broadcasting and television unions.

Dr. Al Leithi revealed that the Union has opened a number of offices, including its first office in Palestine in the city of Ramallah, followed by offices in Senegal, Chad, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and London. He announced that the Qatar Media Corporation has approved the opening of a Union office in Doha, which will focus on news and program exchange and coordination with Qatari media institutions.

He emphasized that the presence of these offices, along with joint media production, contributes to removing political barriers and reinforces the concept of joint Arab and Islamic media cooperation.

Defining the Union, Dr. Al Leithi explained that the Union of Radio and Television was established in 1975 during a meeting of Arab and Islamic ministers of information. Its primary objective was to support the Palestinian cause, he said, noting that the Union’s first president was the late media figure Ahmed Faraj.

He added that the Union currently includes 57 broadcasting and television organizations from OIC member states, making it the largest media union of its kind.

Dr. Al Leithi reaffirmed that the Union remains committed to supporting the Palestinian cause and was the first organization to open a media office in Palestine, noting that the office issues daily news broadcasts that are transmitted to all Arab and Islamic countries.

He explained that the Union has directed its awards to support the martyrs of Palestinian journalism, to honor the best Palestinian film at the Cairo International Film Festival, and to support the Festival in Tunisia, which features dramatic works addressing the Palestinian cause.

Regarding digital transformation, Dr. Al Leithi noted that the Union established a specialized AI sector more than two years ago, which provides round-the-clock news bulletins using AI-generated male and female presenters, while preserving the Arabic language and Arab-Islamic identity.

On combating misinformation, he explained that the Union works to organize specialized workshops and, for the first time in its history, adopted a Media Code of Ethics after 50 years since its establishment. The code was prepared with the participation of media experts from Islamic countries and was officially approved by the Executive Council and the General Assembly in October 2025.

He noted that the code focuses on professional values, verification of news, reliance on official sources, and avoiding being driven by content circulated on social media, stressing that trusted traditional media will continue to exist and will not disappear.

He concluded his remarks by expressing great optimism about the future of joint media action among Arab and Islamic countries, affirming that the Union is moving in the right direction through events, forums, workshops, training, and international cooperation. These efforts aim to elevate the status of Arab and Islamic media, correct the image of Islam, and keep pace with technological development through a collective, integrative spirit among member states, thereby establishing a common ground for interaction and full coordination through the news and exchange sector. He added that this coordination has already begun through World Radio Day, which falls on February 13 each year, noting that this year a joint one-hour broadcast will be allocated among Union members. (QNA)