On October 6, a joint seminar was held in Berlin, bringing together senior officials from a number of Arab news agencies — including those of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait, along with the Secretary-General of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA) — and the President, Director General, and senior executives of the German Press Agency (DPA), one of Europe’s leading news organizations.At the beginning of the seminar, Mr. Peter Kropsch, President and CEO of DPA, and Mr. Sven Goesmann, Editor-in-Chief, welcomed the FANA delegation and expressed their hope to strengthen cooperation between the two sides in support of independent and impartial journalism, and to further develop relations in ways that serve both parties.In response to this welcome, the Secretary-General of FANA stated that the Federation’s relationship with DPA had been close for many years, and that FANA continuously seeks to enhance it. He noted that the rapid developments in communications technologies — which have given rise to large global digital platforms — necessitate a reorganization of the work and interrelations of news agencies. The current situation, he emphasized, poses a serious threat to the very existence and continuity of news agencies, as well as to the credibility of the news they publish.Following this introduction, the Arab delegation toured DPA’s headquarters and its various departments, after which discussions began on the working paper presented by FANA and the papers submitted by the participating agencies — Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. 1. Dependence of Correspondents on Rumors in Their ReportingThe Arab side raised the issue of correspondents relying on rumors in writing their reports, and how to ensure that European correspondents use official Arab sources. The Arab agencies expressed their readiness to provide direct communication channels to respond to inquiries and verify information.The discussion revealed that the core of the problem lies in a perception among some European correspondents that Arab news agencies reflect only the “official narrative.” Therefore, they prefer to seek alternative sources — even if less accurate. Another factor is that correspondents face pressure from their parent organizations to deliver “exclusive” or sensational stories, which may push them to bypass official or local sources.The discussion concluded that it may be possible to include specific provisions in the accreditation of foreign correspondents in Arab countries requiring them to verify news through at least two sources, one of which must be official or locally authorized.2. Publication of Negative News about Arab CountriesThis topic was discussed in depth. Mr. Peter Kropsch, DPA’s Director General, explained that “the tendency of some European news correspondents to repeatedly publish negative news about Arab countries is not necessarily driven by personal bias, but by an intersection of editorial, professional, and market pressures”.FANA report mentioned that “In many media institutions, negative news — such as crises, disasters, crimes, and conflicts — are deemed more “newsworthy” because they carry shock and drama. As is commonly said in Western newsrooms: *“If it bleeds, it leads.”In addition, some agencies have political or economic agendas that make them focus on negative coverage of certain regions to portray a specific image. Crises and problems reach headlines faster through multiple sources, while positive news requires greater effort to verify and prepare.It was concluded that increasing the share of positive news about Arab countries requires a practical plan that balances “journalistic credibility” with “content appeal.”3. Breaking the Link between Terrorist Propaganda and the MediaThe Arab delegation raised the issue of how to break the cycle between **terrorist propaganda** and the media, noting that many European and international outlets compete intensely to obtain “exclusive coverage” of terrorist operations. Terrorist groups have become keen to supply the media with detailed information about their attacks. This raises the question: Who benefits from whom?In essence, both parties — though with entirely different objectives — benefit from each other in one way or another.Media outlets gain **journalistic scoops**, access to exclusive photos or details that increase viewership and advertising revenue. Dramatic, real-time coverage attracts public attention during crises and enhances the outlet’s credibility as a fast, responsive source.Terrorist groups, on the other hand, gain **publicity and exposure**. Media coverage amplifies their messages and spreads knowledge of their acts worldwide, even without endorsement. Such coverage also spreads fear — one of the terrorists’ main objectives — and the portrayal of “successful” operations may encourage sympathizers and facilitate recruitment.The discussion concluded that this relationship is not a direct partnership but rather a form of “unintentional mutual dependency” — the media seek stories, while terrorists seek platforms. In the long term, the terrorists benefit more, as their ultimate goal is psychological and propagandistic impact — which the media may, unintentionally, help them achieve.Proposed Methods to Break the Cycle:Participants discussed possible measures to prevent news coverage from turning into propaganda, including:* Some countries (e.g., **Australia and Canada**) have issued **official media guidelines** on covering terrorism, including:* Avoid broadcasting videos or statements directly issued by terrorists.* Refrain from showing graphic images or blood unless absolutely necessary.* Outlets like **BBC, AFP, and AP** review every statement or video before publication, removing content that promotes propaganda or incites violence.* Use professional terminology that avoids glorifying terrorists — e.g., “attacker” instead of “fighter” or “mujahid.” * Highlight the efforts of emergency services and authorities rather than details of the attack itself. * Encourage international journalism organizations to hold **training workshops** on responsible coverage and balancing “the public’s right to know” with “the prevention of terrorist promotion.” * Limit live coverage and delay publishing sensitive details that could compromise security operations.Saudi ProposalsRegarding the proposals submitted by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) — particularly those concerning limiting agencies’ engagement with non-governmental and transnational organizations at the expense of national entities — it was noted that this can be achieved by setting **clear regulations for external cooperation**, ensuring transparency and prior approval by national authorities, while promoting **joint Arab alternatives** in training and technical support to preserve agencies’ independence and national role.Combating Disinformation and DeepfakesTo confront **media disinformation** and the growing threat of **deepfakes**, Arab news agencies can strengthen their credibility by:* Strictly verifying sources and fact-checking content before publication.* Establishing **digital verification units** that use AI tools to detect fake images and videos.* Training editors and journalists to identify manipulation techniques.* Enhancing transparency by publishing verification methods and news sources.* Promoting **inter-agency cooperation** to share alerts about false news and disinformation trends.The goal is to **fortify credibility** and make Arab news agencies the **primary trusted reference** in the digital information landscape.Cooperation in the Age of Artificial IntelligenceIn response to SPA’s question on how to strengthen cooperation among news agencies in the **age of artificial intelligence**, participants concluded that this can be achieved through the creation of **shared Arab data networks**, leveraging field presence to collect reliable and diverse data that can help train AI language models and reduce bias.Joint **digital collaboration platforms** could also be developed for content exchange and collective verification, reinforcing news agencies’ roles as **key sources of accurate data** in the technological revolution driven by AI.Qatari ProposalsThe Secretary-General summarized the proposal submitted by the Qatar News Agency (QNA) regarding the role of international and European news agencies in covering events in Gaza, protecting truth, and countering attacks on journalists. The Qatari report, composed of five pages, emphasized the role of news agencies in documenting atrocities, ensuring balanced and objective coverage, highlighting the humanitarian dimension, and countering the dominant U.S. narrative in international media.It was noted that international and European agencies play a crucial role in conveying the truth from Gaza under extremely difficult humanitarian and security conditions. They bear a professional and ethical responsibility to cover events objectively and transparently despite restrictions on movement and the targeting of journalists.These agencies employ local correspondents and field reporters, use advanced verification technologies to ensure accuracy amid widespread disinformation, and document violations against journalists and civilians through reports submitted to international media and human rights organizations.The European side added that European news agencies seek to balance narratives by providing space for the Palestinian perspective and rigorously verifying official data from all sides. Some agencies also train reporters in **digital security and field safety**, and maintain cooperation protocols with international journalism organizations to ensure continued coverage of Gaza despite the risks.Kuwaiti ProposalsThe proposals submitted by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) focused on enhancing news and knowledge content exchange among agencies. It was noted that this can be achieved through unified digital platforms for real-time exchange of news and media materials, standardizing editorial and technical criteria, encouraging joint production and cooperative reporting, thereby expanding the reach of credible Arab content and strengthening media integration among agencies.On training and capacity building, it was suggested that agencies implement joint, ongoing programs focusing on digital skills and multimedia journalism, using e-learning platforms and expert exchanges to enhance professional competence and readiness for modern media transformations.Regarding challenges and opportunities in the digital age, the main challenges include the rapid spread of fake news and declining trust, while opportunities lie in using technology to strengthen verification, broaden audience reach, and develop cross-platform content — making agencies more effective in the evolving media landscape.On joint awareness initiatives, it was proposed that agencies launch collaborative campaigns and training programs to promote news credibility and combat misinformation, thereby enhancing media literacy and social responsibility among the public. Establishing a Framework for Dialogue and the International ConferenceBefore the conclusion of the seminar, which lasted about five hours (morning and afternoon sessions), the General Secretariat proposed the establishment of a framework for dialogue between Arab and European news agencies, aimed at achieving balanced media coverage, developing professional and technical capacities, expanding audience reach, and building bridges of cultural and diplomatic dialogue.Dr. Ayar noted that creating a joint cooperation framework between Arab and European agencies would be a positive step toward strengthening the Arab media presence on the international stage, ensuring that its message reaches a wider audience, while also enriching European content with reliable Arab sources. Such cooperation, he emphasized, is not a luxury but a media and cultural necessity to meet modern challenges and serve common interests.Mr. Kropsch responded that many organizations already exist for news agencies, and that if there is a desire to hold a meeting, its purpose and agenda should be clearly defined. Nevertheless, he promised to present the proposal at the next meeting of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA).Dr. Ayar then inquired about the World Council of News Agencies, which has suspended its meetings due to the Russia–Ukraine war. He noted that many agencies are not involved in the conflict and have called for convening the Seventh News Agencies World Congress (NAWC)**, suggesting that the News Agencies Council (NACO) could be reactivated to organize and ensure the continuation of this congress every three years.ConclusionAt the end of the meeting, the General Secretariat expressed its sincere thanks to the German Press Agency (DPA) for hosting the seminar in Berlin and conveyed the wish to continue organizing such meetings whenever possible.The seminar concluded at 4:30 p.m. on October 6, 2025.AI Translation from Arabic Language