Dubai Local media organizations must continue their efforts to develop content and product of the Emirati media to match the comprehensive development march in the country and to bear in mind the best interests of citizens, said His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikh Mohammed pointed to the achievements in the economy and government services and said the media too must match this development. He called on the media to keep up with best international practices, foster young Emirati talent, attract international talent and use latest technologies.
Shaikh Mohammad yesterday inaugurated the second edition of the Emirates Media Forum at the Emirates Towers, which was also attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikh Mohammad expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the local media and the role it has played. He stressed on their significant role in preparing young Emiratis and giving them opportunities to acquire skills. He encouraged local media organizations to prepare the second the third tiers of leadership.
He said that to develop Emirati media “we must count on the efforts and innovation of young Emiratis capable of taking our media to new horizons during the next phase.”
Shaikh Mohammed said: “We expect our media to lead and open doors for our young talent. As we need creative engineers, doctors and managers, we also need creative journalists. I would like to see young media leaders in the second and third tiers”. He expressed confidence in Emirati media organisations.
Dr Ahmad Sultan Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of Sky News Arabia said local media should work towards recapturing the attention of the younger generation, that prefers new media channels that often provide unreliable information, by joining social media platforms to reach them.
He said media in the last couple of years has spread sedition and extremism and it is up to the UAE’s media to spread the truth and show the real face of Islam.
”The media should exert its efforts to reach the international media and let the voice of the UAE, which is home to many nationalities who live peacefully together and holds women in high regard, be heard.”
Dr Jaber emphasised the role of the media to attract the younger generation. “The younger generation prefers new media that at times may not be credible, so we have to use new media tools to reach them.”
Dr Jaber said if the UAE has succeeded becoming the ‘it’ tourist destination in the UAE, with extensive effort it can succeed in reaching international media and show the true face of Islam.
“We must give the Arabic language special attention and Emiratisation in the local media priority. The private and public sector must also be cooperative and provide the media with their requested information in a short period of time.”
Dr Jaber also said journalists and media personalities are the mirror that reflect the achievements of the UAE, which is why they should put their best foot forward to show the UAE’s achievements.
Mona Al Merri, Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office and the Head of Dubai Press Club, said at the inauguration that the local traditional media has to face the challenges faced by the new media, which is constantly growing and getting new followers.
