Dubai: The future of today’s media will be in the spotlight on Tuesday as the 13th Arab Media Forum (AMF) opens at Mina A’Salam Resort, Madinat Jumeirah.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will inaugurate the two-day forum along with Egyptian Prime Minister Ebrahim Mahlab.
Thousands of media practitioners are expected to engage in in-depth discussions and dialogue during the forum with the theme “The Future of Media Starts Today.”
Issues affecting and altering the media landscape today that will eventually shape its future are among the important topics to be discussed. The rise of social media as a news and information source by many young media consumers and celebrities will be scrutinised.
The impact of virtual warfare that causes the loss of communication networks in conflict zones will also be discussed. Media experts will focus on the effects of such loss on media coverage that’s dependent on communication networks.
The forum, hosted by the Dubai Press Club, will also feature the 13th Arab Journalism Award to honour and encourage journalistic excellence in Arabic media.
The AMF has grown eight times in terms of participation since its inception in 2001. From just having 400 participants from eight countries in 2001, AMF participants increased to 3,160 from 47 countries last year.
The forum has covered relevant topics affecting Arab media ranging from the Arab media through a period of crises during the Arab Spring through to the Arab media as it transitions to the new age.
