Both the Dubai Press Club and Al Arabiya News Channel will cooperate to organise a key panel discussion on the first day of events of the twelfth Arab Media Forum.
Held on May 14-15 in Dubai, the Forum will be attended by several thousand media representatives and thought leaders, academics, policy makers and students of the Arab nation and the world.
With the rise of virtual media, perhaps for the first time in the history of communication, people have gained the power of the ‘media’, and interestingly without the responsibility that comes with it. Not surprising, therefore, that many of the emerging citizen journalists have crossed the line and taken to abusive language and the spread of rumors. This trend has consistently brought digital media under the scanner for unethical and irresponsible journalism.
In a bid to curtail misuse of the platform and the freedom of speech it offers, a number of countries such as Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have taken steps to monitor the platforms and introduce legislations that penalise such miscreants.
However, regardless of their intentions, these actions have largely proven ineffective. The unprecedented growth of digital media continues to disregard personal privacy and ethics in addition to acting as a divisive tool and attacking human morality. Validating this perception, statistics have indicated the presence of Arabic content on the internet that is malicious and lacks authenticated information. On the other hand, it is equally hard to ignore the pivotal role played by virtual media in driving uprisings that changed the map of the Arab world.
Given the high opportunities and unmanageable challenges the digital space throws up, opinion has been split. While extremists believe that regulations on electronic media seek to restrict freedom, there are also those that understand the government’s need to protect communities from the consequences of abuse.
The session will be moderated by Muntaha Al Ramahy from Al Arabiya news Channel. Speakers of this session will include Dr. Adel Al Toraifi, Editor in Chief, Asharq Al Awsat Newspaper and Al Majalla Magazine, Dr.Mohammed Al Rumaihi, Writer, Kuwait; Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, Director General, Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA), UAE, Nejiba Hamrouni, President, Tunisian journalists Syndicate, Tunisia, Nadim Ladki, Editor in Chief, The “Daily Star” Newspaper, Lebanon
Gearing up for the event in May, Dubai Press Club is currently putting the final touches to the logoofthe12th Arab Media Forum. Those wishing to attend the forum are invited to register on www.arabmediaforum.ae