Need for nationally responsible media: Mona Ghanem Al Marri

Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai Government Media Office and Chairperson of Dubai Press Club, noted that the exceptional developments in the region have produced great challenges.

In the course of her speech at the third Emirati Media Forum, organised by the Dubai Press Club, in the presence of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Mona Ghanem Al Marri also noted that the UAE declared its firm backing of victims of injustice and the Yemeni people's defence of their country where Emiratis sacrificed their lives to defend what is just and right.

She underscored the importance of standarising local media discourse based on the forum's focus on the need for a media agenda that is nationally responsible.

The forum, Al Marri noted, reflects solidarity between the leadership and people of the UAE.

She recalled that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed previously stressed the need for constructive media that helps people and boost growth and development.

Emirati Media Forum focuses on 'digital warfare'

The UAE should guard itself against groups engaged in spreading misinformation through digital channels by responding prudently and practically to such misinformation, said speakers at the third session of the third Emirati Media Forum being organised by the Dubai Press Club.

The third session of the Emirati Media Forum, held in Dubai today under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, focused on the topic of ‘digital warfare’.

The session, moderated by Chief Editor of Al Ittihad newspaper Mohammed Al Hammadi, featured prominent UAE thought leaders including leading commentator on Arab affairs Sheikh Sultan Saud Al Qassimi; Director General of Watani UAE Dherar Belhoul; and Vice Chancellor of UAE University Dr. Ali Al Noaimi.

Sultan Saud Al Qassimi said that the proliferation of social media and multiple digital channels has given rise to ‘digital warfare’ where groups engage in spreading information to defame countries. The UAE should guard itself against such attacks.

He further said that the last two to three years have seen the emergence of groups that are highly professional in defaming countries. Rumours can be spread that can have a negative impact on the economies of countries, he said.

Al Qassimi pointed out that we need to strengthen ourselves against wrongdoing by groups spreading misinformation against the country. We need to be ready with responses to accusations, not only by expressing one’s love for the country, but by responding in a prudent and practical way.

Supporting Al Qassimi’s point of view, Dharar Belhoul said we need to provide evidence to counter misinformation. When we provide evidence, we become stronger, he said.

He further said that the spread of social media has put conventional media in a difficult position. However, traditional media in the UAE have been more advanced compared to many other countries in being able to keep pace with social media’s advance.

The Yemen war was a field where the interplay between information from various conventional and digital media and the challenges associated with it were thoroughly tested, he said.

However, he stressed that there is a strong relationship between traditional and digital media, and suggested that traditional and digital media cooperate with each other to “fill in the gaps.”

Ali Al Noaimi echoed these views saying we should not respond to misinformation out of emotions but with facts. We should not use wrong language in responding to those who are waging an information war against us. We should provide evidence against those rumours, he said.

Speaking about the role of media, he said all media professionals should be aware that their jobs has become everyone’s job. Audiences don’t wait for news, they receive the news from many channels instantly. They have the opportunity to contribute and redraft the news.

Speaking about instances of misinformation spread by enemies about the UAE’s role in the Yemen war, he said many Emiratis rose to the occasion and defended the UAE’s position.

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