Gulf countries need a unified media framework that can respond quickly to misinformation and communicate the region’s position with a clear and coordinated voice, GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said.
Speaking at the Arab Media Summit 2026 in Dubai, Albudaiwi said recent developments in the region had highlighted the importance of stronger coordination between media institutions across the Gulf Cooperation Council states.
He called for a shared Gulf media vision supported by practical mechanisms that can address misleading campaigns, counter rumours and ensure reliable information reaches audiences quickly.
Albudaiwi said the changing regional environment required Gulf countries to strengthen cooperation across their media sectors and improve their ability to respond to rapidly developing events.
The GCC secretary general stressed the importance of ensuring that official information is communicated effectively through both traditional and digital platforms. He said coordinated communication could help audiences distinguish accurate information from false or misleading reports during periods of heightened regional tensions.
The call comes as governments and media organisations across the Gulf face an increasingly complex information environment, with social media platforms allowing news, claims and rumours to spread rapidly.
A coordinated approach would allow GCC media institutions to exchange information more efficiently and develop common responses to misinformation campaigns affecting the region.
Albudaiwi’s remarks also point to the growing role of digital platforms in shaping public understanding of regional developments. Traditional television, newspapers and radio continue to play an important role, while social media and online news platforms have become major sources of information for audiences.
The GCC, which brings together the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, has increasingly focused on closer coordination among member states on political, economic and security issues.
A common media strategy could provide the six countries with mechanisms for faster communication during regional crises and major developments. It could also support efforts to present official positions consistently across different platforms and audiences.
Albudaiwi said practical measures would be needed to turn the proposed shared media vision into an effective system. These could include closer cooperation between media organisations, faster information-sharing mechanisms and coordinated efforts to identify and respond to false claims.
The Arab Media Summit in Dubai brings together government officials, media leaders and industry representatives to discuss developments affecting the Arab media sector.
The discussions are taking place as artificial intelligence, social media and other digital technologies continue to change how information is produced and distributed.
For Gulf governments and media institutions, the challenge is increasingly not only to provide information but also to ensure that accurate accounts reach audiences quickly enough to compete with rumours and misleading narratives.
Albudaiwi’s call for a unified framework reflects the GCC’s wider effort to strengthen cooperation among its members and establish a more coordinated regional response to the rapidly changing media landscape.
