Speakers
Marwa Fatafta
MENA Policy and Advocacy Director, Access Now
Marc Owen Jones
Associate Professor of Media Analytics, Northwestern University in Qatar
Session Description
Arab Center Washington DC (ACW) is organizing a luncheon discussion at the 10th edition of the Rome MED Dialogues hosted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ISPI (Italian Institute for International Political Studies). This session will explore the profound impact of media and technology on the Gaza war and broader conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, focusing on their implications for human rights and security, just peace, and international law. Amid Israel’s ongoing wars in the region, media coverage, social media platforms, and emerging technologies have played a critical role in shaping public perception and policy responses. This session will address the impacts of media bias and blackouts as well as social media censorship and disinformation, all of which influence global awareness and shaping narratives and determine the information environment and thus policymaking worldwide. These issues have become central to discussions about the rights to free expression and access to information, especially in areas marked by conflict and humanitarian crises, often exacerbating conflicts and undermining democratic processes. Meanwhile, the deployment of autonomous weapons and advanced surveillance technologies is raising urgent questions about accountability and the protection of civilian lives under international law. This discussion aims to deepen the understanding of the ethical and legal challenges at the intersection of technology, media, and conflict, and to foster dialogue on safeguarding human rights in an increasingly digital battlefield.
Conference Description:
The conference, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ISPI, will take place on 25-27 November at the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
This edition will be held at a critical time. The ongoing war in Gaza, the intensifying violence in Lebanon, and the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel are pushing the Middle East and the Mediterranean region to the brink of a full-scale crisis. The prospects for détente have dwindled, and the toll in human lives, destroyed infrastructure, lost economic opportunities, and disrupted strategic alignments is immeasurable. In these challenging times, the need for dialogue and renewed cooperation in the region is more pressing than ever.
Launched ten years ago by ISPI and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Rome MED has become the global hub for high-level discussions among leaders from governments, civil society, academia and the media and business communities on critical issues of the broader Mediterranean. In light of the current situation, this year’s edition carries even greater significance.
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