OIC info ministers meet in Jeddah, talk media strategy

By Ali Kemal Akan

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AA) – The information ministers of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states convened in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Wednesday.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus is attending the meeting, at which participants will discuss means of using new media to counter terrorism and Islamophobia.

Addressing attendees, Kurtulmus called on OIC member states to step up efforts against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which is widely believed to have orchestrated Turkey’s July 15 coup attempt.

"FETO doesn’t only pose a threat to Turkey," Kurtulmus said. "It represents a threat to all OIC member states."

"This traitorous organization still has networks in 170 countries," he added, saying the group was working to brainwash the young and corrupt the societies in which it operates.

Kurtulmus also stressed the importance of the media’s role in covering crises, citing the international media’s biased coverage in the wake of the July 15 coup bid.

"Turkey’s experience has shown us the importance of a media strategy and alternative media mechanism that includes OIC member states," he said.

The Islamic world has come under mounting pressure by orientalist and Islamophobic global media, he asserted, going on to urge OIC members to develop new media strategies.

"Until now, the OIC’s policies have not allowed us to effectively combat Islamophobia," the deputy premier said.

"If we don’t use our resources effectively or proactively, we will run up against the same results," he warned.

According to Kurtulmus, the next OIC information ministers’ meeting will be held in Istanbul.