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Ammon News - The 48th Conference of the General Assembly of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA) kicked off Tuesday in Riyadh, under the patronage of Saudi Acting Minister of Media and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi.

The two-day conference will bring together heads of member agencies in FANA, including Director General of the Jordan News Agency (Petra) Fayeq Hijazin.

At the opening ceremony, Al-Qasabi highlighted the role of media "in conveying facts and information we live in, yet whatever contradicts the ethics of professionalism and deliberately disseminates misleading and erroneous information requires scrutiny and response to reveal the truth and correct facts, and information."

Al-Qasabi said: "Today, everyone in our societies has become a source and a receiver for news through social media applications, which requires keeping pace with this stage, and qualifying national cadres capable of investing these platforms and means to serve the Arab media discourse."

He also expressed his thanks to heads of news agencies, members of FANA for their efforts that enhance the strength of relations rooted in religion, Arabism, neighborhood and common positions.

SPA President, Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran, Who was unanimously elected as FANA President for the next two years, stressed the importance of concerted efforts by all to promote FANA's role in serving the Arab media work and enhance its international footprint.

He said that the media scene in its reality is going through fundamental changes that affect all pillars of the media process, underlining the importance of the role of media professionals, governmental and private media institutions for change of its means and media in line with the rapid changes in the media industry, as well as enhancing its efforts, impact and continuity given the credibility and professional reliability of these institutions and agencies.

Also, Al Aqran stressed the importance of news agencies as a reliable source in the transfer and flow of information, and the impact they have on the local and international levels.

FANA Secretary General, Farid Ayar, stressed that FANA has worked over the past years to achieve a number of goals to support Arab news agencies and build bridges of communication with their counterparts in the world, pointing out to the importance of developing work and shouldering responsibility towards developments in the field of media and transformations.

Participants in the conference discussed issues related to FANA's professional and organizational development, as well as ways to develop the media performance of FANA member agencies and it's activity going forward.