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29 March 2024

Media should put people first

Arab Media Forum venue bustling with acitivity [Pic Courtesy: Ashok Verma]

Published
By Bindu Rai

The 15th edition of two-day Arab Media Forum opened today at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Omar Saif Ghobash, Ambassador of the UAE to Russia...

Omar Saif Ghobash, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Russia, spoke at the session titled ‘Spreading peace and humanitarian principals’. 

Seeking insights into his views was Hala Gorani, Anchor and Correspondent, CNN International. 

The session focused on the negative stereotypes about Arabs fuelled by the ongoing socio-political turmoil in the Arab region, which has put the region under the global spotlight.

The topics covered in the session included: 
•    Are Arabs being perceived as less humane as a result of the tumultuous events in the region?
•    Why do foreigners have a negative image of Islam and Muslims?  How are Arab actions confirming this stereotype?
•    What should the UAE do to spread peace and humanitarian principals?

“In the past few years, media has revolutionised how things are run. It has created debate amongst people,” said Ghobash. He however said that the debate lacked depth at times. 

Ghobash said that even as news media owners anywhere in the world may have an agenda, “I don’t think it is possible to control media that much”. 

He said: “We are trying to set the UAE as an example for the Arab World – a dynamic economy, with men and women in the workplace. There is positivity in the Middle East. By categorising youth as a set of potential, we are responding to the Arab Spring.”

 

Mohammed Al Nughaimish speaks...‘Choose stories that prioritise public’

During the opening session of the ongoing Arab Media Forum, journalists from the region spoke about prioritising news that puts people first – be it positive or negative stories.

Speaking at the ‘Media that impacts humanity’ session, Ashraq Al Awsat journalist Mohammed Al Nughaimish said: “Media is a window to what is going on in society. Media needs to raise awareness among people.”

Egyptian writer Yasser Abdel-Aziz said media in the region is facing a shortage of professionals, which is why youth reporting or citizen journalism has come to the forefront.

He said: “It gets difficult to find good stories..."

“Optimism is waning among viewers... Media should focus on the priorities of the public. Choose your stories according to the priority of your people.”

Al Nughaimish added that social media reporting has become an integral part of a journalist’s job today, adding that media outlets need to recognise this and increase budgets to award those with creative ideas.

He said: “When I see and read ideas on Snapchat, I am taken by the creativity. It is in abundance out there. In my role as a member of media, I want to tell CEOs of media organisations, increase your budgets and utilise creative ideas to invest in social media mediums. In the West, media outlets have the money to do this.

“You tell a journalist you want to give him a salary for just the role they perform during office hours, and they then lose creativity. Adopt rewards of the month. Give prizes and awards to media outlets who have journalists who use different mediums and ideas to get stories.”

Media that impacts humanity

Organised by the Dubai Press Club under the theme of ‘Media for Good’, the forum has attracted prominent Arab and international media elites, journalists and intellectuals who will be discussing some of the most vital issues facing the region’s media sector over the two days.

Picture: By Ashok Verma

The first main session, ‘Media that impacts humanity,’ was moderated by well-known MBC anchor and talk show host Yasser Al Amro. Speakers for the session included Saudi journalist Awad Al Fayyed, Kuwaiti writer Mohammed Al Nughaimish, and Egyptian writer and media consultant Yasser Abdel-Aziz.

The session provided the speakers’ insights into the role that media plays and the real-world impact that it has.

Amidst political, cultural, and economic upheaval in the region, the Arab media has an important role to play in addressing regional humanitarian issues and highlighting the work being done to tackle them. The session zooms in on the disparity between various Arab media’s coverage of humanitarian crises in the region.

The topics covered in the discussion included:

- Does current media coverage truly reflect the situation on the ground in the Arab world?

- Is it enough for the Arab media to cover news of the region and not go in-depth regarding critical issues it is currently facing?

- Why is the Arab media increasingly focusing on entertainment and celebrity news?

International speakers at the Forum include editors of global media and top management executives of news and social media groups. The speakers will join their Arab counterparts in discussing issues ranging from the future of news to the dialogue of civilisations.