Meeting the media: We are resilient, Mohammad says

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday met a group of media persons working in establishments under the umbrella of Dubai Media City, who came to greet him on the occasion of the 38th UAE National Day.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of National Day celebrations at Dubai News Centre.

Shaikh Mohammad discussed with media persons the Dubai World debt restructuring and the media confusion about the issue and the mix-up and exaggeration of some media outlets.

He stressed that he was not worried about this media uproar, adding, "We in the UAE in general, and especially in Dubai, are strong and dedicated, and we have the determination and strength of will to face all challenges, including malicious media."

Speaking of his expectations regarding the media's reaction after the announcement of Dubai World's restructuring, Shaikh Mohammad said: "We wanted this reaction, which proved that we are resilient in the global and regional economic equations, as I said earlier.

"This makes us feel comfortable and proud that we are effective and play a vital and positive role in global economy, which was shaken strongly as a result of announcing the restructuring of a company," Shaikh Mohammad said.

In response to a question about his vision of the current media campaign, Shaikh Mohammad said everyone tries to throw stones at fruitful trees, and we have seven of them, citing the seven emirates.

It is normal to be subject to all these baseless exaggerations, but the patience of waves cannot be deterred, Shaikh Mohammad said.

He urged the media to seek the truth in order not to make mistakes by following malicious claims.

"Transparency and credibility are the most important characteristics of successful media," Shaikh Mohammad said, calling on media persons to seek the truth and be credible and conscientious to gain the respect and trust of the public opinion.

— WAM