RIYADH — Jameel Altheyabi, editor-in-chief of Okaz and supervisor general of Saudi Gazette, underscored the importance of forging a professional and institutional partnership between the media and security sectors, founded on trust, effective communication, and shared responsibility. Speaking at a session of the Security and History Dialogue 2026 conference in Riyadh on Tuesday, Altheyabi affirmed that the media and security sectors are essential partners in protecting society, strengthening its stability, and raising public awareness. He stressed the need to establish a sustainable professional and institutional partnership between the two sides, grounded in trust, effective communication, and a shared sense of responsibility. Building community awareness and strengthening trustAltheyabi noted that the rapid expansion of media outlets and social media platforms has dramatically accelerated the dissemination of news and information, while simultaneously intensifying the challenges posed by rumors and misinformation, particularly during crises and security incidents. Against this backdrop, he said, the relationship between the media and security sectors has become a vital component in raising community awareness and strengthening public trust in institutions. **media[2762967]** The eminent media person explained that the media is a key partner in enhancing community security by promoting awareness, correcting misconceptions, countering rumors, and supporting awareness campaigns. At the same time, media institutions require reliable, responsive, and authoritative official sources to ensure that accurate information reaches the public. He stressed that the current stage demands a partnership that extends beyond event-based communication and evolves into a sustainable institutional relationship, emphasizing that “one of the two is indispensable for the other,” given the need for continuous coordination between the two sides. Balancing publication speed with information confidentialityAltheyabi identified the balance between the speed of information dissemination and the requirements of security work as one of the most important issues warranting discussion. He explained that the media operates in an environment defined by speed and competition, while security sectors handle information that may be sensitive or connected to investigations and procedures that do not permit immediate or comprehensive disclosure. **media[2762963]** He stressed that the challenge lies in developing mechanisms capable of striking a balance between society’s right to knowledge and the need to preserve the integrity of security procedures. Official information: A tool to reassure societyAltheyabi emphasized the critical importance of coordination between the media and security sectors during crises and emergencies, when public demand for information intensifies and the risk of inaccurate news spreading increases. “In such circumstances, the speed, clarity, and accuracy of official information become among the most important tools for managing the media landscape and reassuring the public. The role of the official spokesperson and official digital channels in providing continuous updates is also crucial, as it reduces speculation and limits the spread of rumors,” he said. **media[2762966]**“Proactive communication” to counter misinformationAddressing the challenges created by social media platforms, Altheyabi noted that anyone can now publish an image, video, or piece of information within moments, allowing inaccurate narratives to reach the public before an official clarification can be issued. He stressed that responding to rumors only after they have spread is no longer sufficient, calling instead for the development of “proactive communication” that delivers reliable information, alongside stronger cooperation between security agencies and media outlets to verify content and counter misinformation. Responsibility of the media in covering security issuesAltheyabi emphasized that the media carries a significant professional responsibility when covering security issues, particularly in protecting victims’ privacy, avoiding interference with investigations, verifying information before publication, and refraining from circulating videos or images that could cause social or security harm. He pointed out that this responsibility requires media outlets to carefully assess what should be published and what should be withheld, while maintaining a balance between the public’s right to know and professional and security considerations. From communication at the time of the event to partnership before its occurrenceAltheyabi called for a fundamental evolution in the relationship between the media and security sectors, shifting from communication confined to events toward a permanent institutional partnership. He said such a partnership should encompass regular meetings, joint training programs, direct communication channels, professional guidelines for security coverage, and clear communication plans for crisis management. Mutual trust the foundation of relationshipAltheyabi stressed that an effective partnership between the media and security sectors cannot be established without mutual trust. Such trust, he said, is built through a commitment to accuracy, clarity, rapid response, and respect for media independence, while at the same time observing security and professional considerations. **media[2762965]** He emphasized the importance of moving beyond the traditional relationship defined by the concepts of “source” and “intermediary” toward a broader framework centered on dialogue, training, and cooperation. This could be achieved through regular meetings between official spokespersons and journalists, as well as joint workshops on crisis management, ethical publishing practices in security matters, and mechanisms for verifying information circulating on digital platforms. Altheyabi raised several key questions aimed at strengthening this relationship: How can trust between the media and security sectors be enhanced? How can a balance be achieved between speed of dissemination, accuracy, and confidentiality? What are the most effective mechanisms for countering rumors and misinformation? And how can the two sides move from temporary communication to a sustainable partnership? He concluded by emphasizing that the success of the relationship between the media and security sectors should not be measured solely by the volume of information exchanged, but by its ability to build trust, serve the public interest, and establish a model founded on rapid and reliable communication, continuous coordination, and partnership before, during, and after events. Such an approach, he stressed, would contribute significantly to strengthening public awareness and security.