Journalists and media outlets play a crucial role in shaping public awareness, an Egyptian editor has said.

by Xinhua writer Liu Bowei, Zhao Weihong

ZHENGZHOU, China, July 28 (Xinhua) -- From military clashes to trade wars, the global landscape is growing more volatile, making international media cooperation more essential than ever, said Eman Aref, managing editor and head of diplomatic affairs at Egypt's leading daily Al-Ahram.

She made the remarks during an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the just-concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Media and Think Tank Summit in Zhengzhou, China.

"The world is currently undergoing dramatic transformations, both globally and regionally ... in particular, the Middle East is witnessing an unprecedented level of instability and fluidity," she said.

With the Palestinian question at the heart of the region's turmoil, she said, many neighboring countries are also grappling with severe crises, especially those bordering Egypt, such as Sudan and Libya.

"This situation has imposed enormous economic pressure on Egypt due to the influx of a massive number of refugees fleeing conflict zones," she said.

Journalists and media outlets play a crucial role in shaping public awareness, Aref said.

"Promoting dialogue, cooperation and mutual trust among media outlets is crucial, as it contributes significantly to presenting accurate perspectives on international events and issues, away from misinformation," she said.

Present at summit discussions over the past days, Aref applauded more opportunities for direct dialogue among SCO media and think tanks.

"I believe that both media and think tanks play a vital and central role in deepening cooperation among SCO member states and dialogue partners," she said.

"Events such as this summit allow participants to engage directly and exchange views on the key issues being discussed within the organization," she added.