PLC President Affirms Pivotal Role of National Media in Battle for Public Awareness and Countering Misleading Narratives

  Riyadh

President Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), affirmed the pivotal role of the media in the heart of the national battle against the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militias.

During a meeting with Minister of Information Mr. Moammar Al-Eryani and a number of heads of media institutions, President Al-Alimi expressed the state leadership’s appreciation for the efforts of every journalist and media professional who has remained committed to state institutions and their professional and national mission. He praised their dedication despite the limited resources available to this vital sector.

The President stressed that the press and media sector is at the heart of the national battle for truth and public awareness, strengthening confidence in the state and the republican system, and combating disinformation and superstition.

President Al-Alimi expressed his aspiration for a strong and professional media sector. He said: “The battle is not confined to the frontlines; it is also a battle over the narrative: Who started this war? Who thwarted peace efforts? Who targeted Yemenis’ resources? Who threatens ports and international shipping? And who created one of the world’s largest humanitarian disasters?”

In this context, he pointed out that the militias exploit the information vacuum. When state institutions are slow to provide information, the militias fill that vacuum with their misleading narrative. He stressed the need to change this equation.

“We do not want media that merely reacts; we want media that takes the initiative,” he said. “Do not leave any major event without a clear account from the state, any important information without a reliable source, or any Houthi claim repeated until it becomes accepted as fact simply because we were late in debunking it with evidence, figures, eyewitnesses, and images.”

During the meeting, held on the sidelines of a press seminar to be broadcast later, President Al-Alimi said that the multiplicity of media platforms within the republican camp is a source of strength when they share the same direction. This requires greater coordination, as well as the exchange of information, materials, and expertise, so that everyone within the media system recognizes that the success of one institution is also a success for others.

The President also touched on the strategic partnership with the brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He stressed the importance of extending this concept to the media through coordination, the exchange of information and materials, clarification of facts, and close cooperation in countering disinformation.