News travels fast, these days. The internet has made information available almost instantaneously, while the advent of blogging, 'citizen journalism' and user generated content has seen a democratisation of the once-august media.
It's a new world where – within minutes – a website in Tennessee can move the markets in Tokyo, and where established journalists with years of experience can vie for attention against relatively unknown bloggers. Now, you don't need a record contract to make it big: if you make an impression on MySpace, fame is yours.
Ten years ago, holiday snaps were holiday snaps. In 2008, a picture from your camera phone can make it on to CNN's homepage for all to see.
Today's launch of i24|7 reflects this spirit. The Emirates Business 'interactive' service invites your comments, stories, and viewpoints via our website, www.emirates247.com – a selection of which will be published in the newspaper each Sunday.
The special 'Big Debate' column will highlight the most emotive issue of the week, based on the [sometimes heated] debate online.
You can also submit video and audio clips to us, a selection of which will be edited and published online to complement our existing multimedia service, which includes daily audio interviews from Dubai Eye's Business Breakfast, the latest video stories, and images of news events from around the world.
Just as the launch of Emirates Business last December promised "first-rate business news that you can use", the UAE now deserves a business press that is better in touch with its readers. As the country's economy diversifies, so does its population – with many new residents, and many new viewpoints, to be heard.
This week, for example, we publish some opposing – but equally valid – views on the Gulf's drive towards nuclear power; we hear some interesting takes on the the big deal between the New York Stock Exchange and Qatar; your views on the ease of obtaining personal loans in the UAE were voiced via our daily 'online poll'; and we have one anonymous correspondent who's not too fond of expensive, animal-themed watches. Quite right too.
For these are the voices of our community – from CEOs to consumers – and they are all relevant. Now, no-one needs to be just a bystander.
The frenetic pace of business in the region, coupled with increasingly diverse employee base, calls for a greater 'collaborative' voice within the media.
Emirates Business hopes, in part, to serve this need. Because, while the news may be travelling fast, it's also heading wherever you want it to.
news@emirates247.com
- The writer is the Online Editor