The Iraqi capital, Baghdad, is preparing to host the fourth edition of the Arab Media Congress from May 20 to 24, 2025, under the theme “The Role of Media in Facing Climate Change”, in a joint organization between the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) and the Iraqi Media Network (IMN).
This congress aligns with ASBU’s ongoing commitment to fostering a dynamic and forward-looking Arab media landscape. It also underscores the pivotal role of the Iraqi Media Network, a dedicated and active ASBU member, in advancing joint Arab media initiatives and reinforcing regional cooperation.
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The Launch of the Arab Media Congress
One of ASBU’s core missions is to continuously advance the Arab media landscape by tackling key challenges and identifying practical, forward-thinking solutions. In line with this goal, ASBU launched the Arab Media Congress in 2021 as an annual platform for open dialogue—bringing together experts, academics, and media professionals from around the world to examine pressing issues and explore innovative responses.
Through its declarations and actionable recommendations, the Congress seeks to chart a clear roadmap for each year’s theme, helping Arab media professionals stay aligned with global trends and adapt to the rapidly evolving media and digital environment.
Previous Editions: From Challenges to Solutions
Since its inception, the Arab Media Congress has held three noteworthy editions:
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The first edition took place on October 19, 2021, as a foundational session that addressed several key topics:
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Public media in light of the explosion of private channels and new platforms,
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The crisis of print journalism and future outlooks,
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Professional training and the requalification of human resources in Arab media.
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The second edition, held on January 13–14, 2023 in Tunis, tackled the issue of “Global Digital Dominance and Ways to Confront It in the Arab Region.”Participants discussed cybersecurity, the protection of personal data, and efforts to counter digital hegemony over Arab content, with a focus on cultural, social, and media challenges in the digital age, as well as the efforts made by Arab countries to address this dominance by tech giants.
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The third edition, on January 17–18, 2024, focused on “Media in the Artificial Intelligence Era: Opportunities and Challenges.”
It explored the use of AI in content production, its integration in media professions, and the ethical and legal aspects of AI technologies in the media field.
Future Challenges for Arab Media
In light of the environmental changes threatening both the Arab region and the wider world due to the intensifying phenomenon of climate change, participants in the fourth edition of the congress will explore how Arab media can keep pace with these challenges. Discussions will focus on the media’s role in raising public awareness and the importance of sustained coverage of environmental issues.
Through insightful contributions and rich discussions, this media event will serve as an effective platform for proposing practical solutions to the ongoing environmental challenges facing the Arab region and beyond, and for exploring how the media can engage with them in a meaningful and impactful way.