A new National Dialogue TV may go on air soon, said Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Al-Khoja here Saturday, making the case for fair, healthy and more vigorous debate in society. The minister said that Facebook, blogs, online dialogue forums, online journalism, Internet radio, television and digital literature have greatly shaken thoughts and values and have reinforced the individuality, independence and freedom of people – regardless of whether the official information institutions are satisfied with this or not. “Those in charge of the official media should be fair to the new digital media that have forced the official mass media to allocate space for dialogue, differences in views, and diversity,” Al-Khoja said. His remarks were contained in his presentation of a working paper titled “The role of the mass media in promoting the culture of dialogue.” The presentation was made at the certified trainers forum on the promotion of the culture of national dialogue, which was held at the King Faisal Conferences Hall. “One of the most prominent attributes of the new media is dialogue and argument without limits,” Al-Khoja said. “The online channels – the majority of which are unofficial – have made people listen to their voices both in seriousness and in jest. They have shown the colors of their thinking.” “We do not deny that rivalry in many forms go beyond expected limits to insults and fabrication of crises,” he said. “All these are existent but they open a new chapter in human civilization and establish traditions for dialogue that people are used to.” In effect, he said, new media have strongly signaled “the end of one voice, one opinion and one color.” These media have made people of all categories realize that there are thoughts and opinions that are different. “The amazing information revolution we have seen – the interactive text, dialogue on screen and visuals – have had an impact even on the official mass media.” Hence there is no way forward in this digital information age but to pursue dialogue and diversity, the minister said. He said that King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has lifted the cloak of silence on many matters at the local, Arab and international levels. “Due to his wisdom, people are now engaging in dialogue and voices on our issues are being heard.” Saleh Al-Hussayyen, Chairman of the King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue which organized the forum, said the national dialogue has come to show the values of moderation and tolerance as the kernel of better national unity and hegemony. The forum for certified trainers on promoting national dialogue takes Saudi society a further step toward better understanding of the culture of dialogue and fosters cooperation between the center and the trainers across the country, he added. The center has been introducing new dialogue programs to target different segments of society, Al-Hussayen said. Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Aal Al-Sheikh said: “Cooperation and understanding in Islamic society is largely dependent on successful dialogue among its members. A Muslim should love for his Muslim brother what he loves for himself.” “A member of an Islamic society is required to be good with clear and clean mind away from the twisted path of evil and extremist ideology,” he said. Both Minister Al-Khoja and the Grand Mufti called upon the media to act as ethical and moral guides for the public and build up unity to defeat any ideological attack on this nation. Over the past few years, Saudi men and women have participated in many National Dialogue forums, voicing their stands on extremism and moderation, national unity, women's rights, issues affecting the youth, the relationship with non-Saudis and non-Muslims, and the education system in the Kingdom. Recommendations of each forum have been presented to King Abdullah
