The Global Forum for Journalism and Media (GFJM) chaired by Dr. Hany Khater condemns the attack that targeted an electricity distribution station in Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using a drone.
The Forum considers the targeting of civilian and essential infrastructure a matter of serious concern due to the potential direct risks to the lives of civilians and to essential services as well as its possible repercussions for regional security and stability.
The Forum stresses that infrastructure providing essential services to the population including electricity energy water healthcare and transportation should receive appropriate protection during periods of conflict and tension.
Attacks against such facilities can have consequences extending far beyond the directly targeted site affecting large numbers of civilians and disrupting services that are essential to daily life.
The Global Forum for Journalism and Media also recalls that Medina holds a special religious significance for Muslims around the world.
Any security incident in or around the city therefore requires a high level of responsibility in order to avoid placing civilians or religiously significant sites at risk and to prevent any further escalation of tensions.
In this context the Forum stresses the importance of preventing events involving religious sites and places of worship from being exploited through hate speech or incitement.
It also emphasizes the importance of responsible and professional media coverage based on the verification of information and free from exaggeration or the dissemination of unverified claims.
The Forum emphasizes that professional and independent media have a particular responsibility during times of crisis.
This responsibility includes verifying information before publication distinguishing confirmed facts from allegations avoiding the dissemination of old or misleading images and videos as if they were recent events and refraining from language that could fuel hatred or deepen divisions between communities.
The Global Forum for Journalism and Media calls on the international community as well as relevant international and regional organizations to address attacks against civilian and critical infrastructure with seriousness.
It also calls for facts and responsibilities to be established in accordance with applicable legal frameworks while reaffirming the importance of respecting international law and international humanitarian law and protecting civilians.
The Forum stresses that addressing such incidents should not be limited to statements of condemnation.
It should also be accompanied by concrete efforts to prevent attacks against civilians and essential infrastructure strengthen accountability mechanisms and support initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and preventing further escalation of violence.
In this regard Dr. Hany Khater President of the Global Forum for Journalism and Media emphasizes that the responsibility of the media during crises extends beyond simply reporting events.
It also includes protecting truth from misinformation respecting human dignity rejecting hate speech and providing the public with reliable information that helps people understand developments away from rumors propaganda and incitement.
The Global Forum for Journalism and Media (GFJM) reaffirms its commitment to protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure respecting sites of religious and cultural significance and upholding the principles of international law.
The Forum calls for dialogue media responsibility and legal mechanisms to be used to support security and stability protect civilian populations and reduce the impact of conflicts and tensions on communities.
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