The Qatari Center for Journalism participated in the fifth edition of the International Moroccan Sahara Forum for Journalism and Media, held in the Sidi Ifni region of the Kingdom of Morocco, as part of the center’s commitment to active participation in Arab media conferences and events.

In his speech before the forum, Mr. Sadiq Muhammad Al-Omari, Director General of the Qatari Center for Journalism, reviewed the center’s vision and mission in supporting journalists, the efforts of media institutions to advance the profession, and keeping pace with modern technology in the journalistic and media fields.

He emphasized the center’s keenness to enhance cooperation and exchange expertise with Arab professional institutions, including the National Syndicate of Moroccan Journalists, to unify efforts and coordinate initiatives that serve the common interests of the profession, open an integrated Arab media space, strengthen efforts to protect the rights and safety of Arab journalists, keep up with the digital transformations shaping the media landscape, and exchange views on promoting press freedom and expressing the aspirations of Arab peoples in facing common challenges.

The Director General expressed his happiness at the Qatari Center for Journalism being hosted as Guest of Honor at the forum, praising the journalistic and media level in Morocco, which reflects significant professional development that keeps pace with modern technology and meets public aspirations.

Partnership Agreement

Al-Omari reviewed the partnership agreement signed on behalf of the Qatari Center for Journalism with Abdelkabir Akhchichine, President of the National Syndicate of Moroccan Journalists, and Hafedh Mohdar, Head of the Syndicate branch in Guelmim. The agreement includes strengthening journalistic cooperation, exchanging expertise in joint training courses, enhancing the professional level of journalists, and holding specialized courses for sports journalists, including Moroccan journalists residing in Qatar to prepare for the Morocco 2030 World Cup.

He affirmed the center’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Arab and international professional bodies, highlighting collaborations with several Arab journalist syndicates, including those in Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.

He added: The center is a member of the Arab Journalists Union and the Gulf Press Union and seeks to join the International Federation of Journalists soon. Our goal is to enhance global communication among journalists, exchange expertise, and expand joint work networks.

He stressed the importance of boosting cooperation among Arab professional press bodies to consolidate professional and ethical values and enhance the role of Arab media in expressing public sentiment and the aspirations of the people.

The Director General outlined the role and mission of the Qatari Center for Journalism as an umbrella organization for journalists and media professionals in Qatar, aimed at developing journalistic culture and enhancing the role of media in national building through organizing specialized courses, seminars, and open lectures to elevate journalistic performance and discuss key societal and global issues.

Palestinian Journalists

He highlighted the difficult conditions and unprecedented violations faced by Palestinian journalists in Gaza, affirming that the Qatari Center for Journalism has documented the martyrdom of 216 Palestinian journalists since the beginning of the aggression on Gaza.

He said: We issued condemnation statements and an international UN appeal denouncing the Israeli occupation’s deliberate extermination of journalists in Gaza by bombing their positions and residences to silence free media, obscure the truth, and prevent them from conveying reality to the world in a blatant violation of international law.

We also called on the international community, UN organizations, human rights and media bodies to condemn the targeting of journalists in Gaza and urgently move to hold the Israeli occupation accountable before international courts for war crimes against journalists and media professionals.

Special Honor

On the sidelines of the forum, Mr. Sadiq Muhammad Al-Omari, Director General of the Qatari Center for Journalism, was honored in recognition of his efforts to enhance journalistic and media cooperation between the two countries.

The forum is organized in partnership between the National Syndicate of Moroccan Journalists and the Sahara Observatory for Media Diplomacy, Peace, and Development. It is a prominent media platform aiming to promote discussion on issues related to the Moroccan Sahara and the vital role of media in supporting peace and development.