In a move reflecting the growing global trend toward regulating the digital space, Dr. Ahmed Assaf, the General Supervisor of Palestinian Official Media, emphasized that collective Arab negotiation has become a strategic necessity to compel global digital platforms to respect the laws and cultural norms of the region. His remarks came during his participation in the third edition of the Saudi Media Forum, held in Riyadh under the theme “Media in a Changing World,” and under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
General context: Emulating the European experience
Assaf emphasized the importance of learning from the “European experience” as a model to emulate. This is a clear reference to the legislation recently enacted by the European Union, such as the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). These laws aim to create a safer and fairer digital environment by imposing strict obligations on tech giants regarding content moderation, combating misinformation, and ensuring fair competition. The Arab call to adopt a similar approach stems from the understanding that the individual negotiating power of any one country may not be sufficient to counter the influence of these global companies, while a unified stance forms a strong front capable of imposing its conditions.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
This call is particularly important given the challenges facing the Arab region in the digital sphere, from the spread of hate speech and fake news to bias in content moderation policies, especially concerning sensitive political issues such as the Palestinian cause. Assaf emphasized that this strategic move must be accompanied by Arab efforts to launch dedicated platforms capable of addressing the world and presenting the Arab narrative professionally and credibly, thereby strengthening a unified stance and preserving the digital and media sovereignty of Arab states.
The Saudi Media Forum as a platform for change
The Saudi Media Forum, which saw the participation of more than 300 thought leaders and media experts from around the world, is an ideal platform for launching such strategic initiatives. During the forum, His Excellency the Minister of Media, Mr. Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossari, announced the launch of 12 innovative initiatives, including the Saudi Mediathon, a media innovation camp. This underscores the Kingdom's pioneering role in developing the media industry and adapting to its evolving landscape. The forum's adoption of such discussions contributes to shaping a shared Arab vision for the future of media and lays the foundation for regional cooperation aimed at achieving a balance of power between countries and major technology companies. This serves the interests of Arab societies and protects their values and identity in an increasingly digitally interconnected world.
