The Gulf Press Union (GPU) recently held their first meeting in Doha, where several key decisions were made. The board of directors decided to open the membership door for joining the union and appointed new committees, including the Freedom Committee, Gulf Women Journalists Committee, and Digital Media Committee. They also approved the minutes of the preparatory meeting held in Manama in January, adopted a new union logo, and approved the website, along with other administrative and financial matters. The board also discussed enhancing joint journalistic work and upcoming action plans to achieve the union’s goals.
Saad bin Mohammed Al Rumaihi, a member of the Board of Directors of the GPU, highlighted the importance of hosting the meeting in Qatar. He noted that the meeting provided an opportunity to address challenges facing journalism in the Gulf region, including attracting youth to journalism. The establishment of the Digital Media Committee was seen as a positive step to stay current in the rapidly changing field of journalism. GPU Vice President and Secretary-General Isa Al Shaiji praised the Qatar Press Center for hosting the meeting and commended their efforts in achieving the union’s strategic objectives at the GCC level.
The meeting yielded several outcomes, including the approval of joint work plans and important recommendations. These included opening the membership door and appointing specialized committees such as the Digital Media Committee, the Freedom Committee, and the Women Journalists Committee. These committees aim to enhance press freedom, support youth in journalism, and provide necessary support for women in the field of journalism. The members also agreed to hold the next board meeting in September and appointed Isa Al Shaiji as the acting GPU President.
The Gulf Press Union was established to promote Gulf journalism, ensure the rights of journalists and media professionals, and develop communication channels between international, Arab, and global journalistic organizations. The union also aims to implement joint Gulf media projects among the GCC countries. The meeting in Doha marked a strong start for joint Gulf work in journalism, with a focus on addressing current challenges and implementing strategies to enhance the field of journalism in the region. Future projects and executive plans were also discussed, highlighting the commitment of the GPU to advancing the profession of journalism in the Gulf region.
