Dubai: More than 2,000 media professionals from 40 countries are expected to attend the Arab Media Forum, which starts Tuesday with a keynote address by post-revolutionary Egypt's new minister of culture.
The tenth edition of the Arab Media Forum that runs Tuesday and Wednesday at the Grand Hyatt comes at a time that the Arab world is going through major changes following the ouster of two Arab regimes and pro-democracy unrest in at least four other countries.
Emad Abu Gazi, Egypt's Minister of Culture, is expected to deliver the opening address at the forum, which is being held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
In addition to highlighting the developments in his country and the wider Arab region, he will share his vision on the role of media in the current circumstances. He will also underline the importance of education and scientific research to aid the development of Egypt and the Arab world.
The forum's programme reflects the changes being witnessed in the Arab world with some of the sessions being focused on factors considered important in some of the uprisings in the region.
Topics dealing with social media, post revolution media, Egyptian media and the anti-secrecy site WikiLeaks are all expected to be discussed.
The media forum, organised by the Dubai Press Club, has in the past served as a rare platform for media professionals, where inhibitions of self-censorship are lowered, and discussions about issues pertinent to media in the region take place.
More than 12 television channels will offer live coverage of the Arab Media Forum 2011. For the first time ever, the AMF website (www.arabmediaforum.ae) will also provide real-time streaming of the two-day event.
Social media
The number of participants from outside the UAE include 350 editors, columnists, reporters, programme makers, as well as academics and researchers from newspapers, television, radio stations, news agencies and educational and research institutions.
Mariam Bin Fahd, Executive Director of Dubai Press Club, said: "AMF 2011 will seek to analyse and assess prominent issues in the current media landscape. This edition of the forum assumes added significance following the rapid pace of political events and economic prospects in the Arab region and their impact on media.
"We are overwhelmed with the response that the event has drawn this year and look forward to hosting yet another successful edition."
She added: "Individual sessions at the forum will additionally analyse entertainment programmes aired by certain Arab satellite channels. Workshops on the phenomenon of on-air medical clinics, television and the risks of poor debates, and a shift in the content of the Arab media about what is known today as the phenomenon of information proximity will also be hosted.
One of the workshops will highlight the Jordanian media in light of the critical developments over the past few years."
A team of more than 50 Emirati volunteers, including university students and media faculty, will provide on-ground support at the tenth Arab Media Forum. The volunteers will play an active role in receiving local, regional and international guests to the event. The teams will also provide support to coordinate the forum's information desk.
The forum will conclude with the tenth Arab Journalism Awards ceremony, where a jury of 58 members is mandated to select the winners from 32 shortlisted nominees in 10 categories.
The General Secretariat of the Arab Journalism Awards has also announced the launch of a new website www.arabjournalismaward.ae, which offers a comprehensive overview of the evolution of the awards from the first to its tenth edition.
Established in 1999 with the objective of encouraging creativity and journalistic excellence in the Arab world, the Arab Journalism Awards have grown over the years to become the region's most coveted distinction in journalism.
Huge interest
- 350 participants from outside the UAE
- 12 television channels will cover the forum live
Profile: Egypt's Minister of Culture
- Emad Abu Gazi was assistant to Egypt's former Secretary General for the Supreme Council for Culture Gaber Asfour for 10 years, with responsibility of overseeing the cultural committees of the council. He then became secretary general for nearly two years.
- He is the son of art critic and thinker Badr Al Deen Abu Gazi (1920-1982) who was minister of culture in Egypt between 1970 and 1971. He is also the descendant of a family of intellectuals and artists.
- He graduated from the Faculty of Arts at Cairo University as a history major, receiving his Masters and PhD in the field of archives in 1995 and is an associate professor at the university.
- In addition to academia, he publishes articles on the history of Egypt, and has authored a number of books.
— Source: Al Ahram
