Spokespeople's role discussed in media forum

Ajman: The role and importance of having an official spokesperson has been a hot topic in the various media forums this year.

The First Ajman Media Forum recently dedicated an entire discussion to the various aspects of a spokesperson's job.

The forum, which was titled "The Official Spokesperson: Visions and Experiences", was inaugurated by Shaikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman.

Among the areas covered in the discussion were: the characteristics needed in a spokesperson, how to choose a spokesperson and the crucial role of a spokesperson in curbing the spread of rumours

True facade

Dr Hessa Lootah, Associate Professor at UAE University, said that the spokesperson is the corporation or government institution's "true facade" and his or her absence means "an absence of a clear strategy of the represented corporation".

"Rumours spread when there is no official source that the media can get information from.

"The availability of a spokesperson, who can give accurate [and] credible information, can reduce that," she said.

Access to information

Making accurate information available to the spokespeople and keeping them updated with the institution's strategies helps the spokesperson do his job effectively, Sameeh Al Maayteh, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications, said.

"When the media cannot find an official source, it will seek it in the ‘black market'. This black market of information must be closed as the official spokesperson should be the only source of news," he said.