Dubai: Gulf News' live coverage of Emirates Media Forum at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The forum focusses on the media's role on boosting the national spirit and the coverage of regional conflicts, especially in Yemen.
Follow our live coverage of the Emirates Media Forum here https://t.co/mkrgdYuM78 pic.twitter.com/qITv6CKSFZ— Gulf News (@gulf_news) November 4, 2015
1.34pm - Sami Al Riyami, Editor-in-Chief of Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm: "We were not used to seeing this number of UAE's children wrapped in the UAE flag, arriving from Yemen as martyrs. We had to switch the initial state of fear everyone was feeling to a state of pride.”
12:34pm - His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, honours various media organisations.
Today @gulf_news was honoured by HH Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid among other UAE media organizations at #EMF15 #proud pic.twitter.com/wLH6ODgcXM— Mohammed Almezel (@Almezel) November 4, 2015
12.32pm - Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, says: Yemen is part of us, not only geographically -- but through our origins, language and religion.
Shaikh Saif: We are with legitimacy, the legitimacy that the United Nations called for.
Deputy PM, Minister of Interior @SaifBZayed delivering the keynote speech at #EMF2016 opening session. pic.twitter.com/25h2Or9XwE— Mohammed Almezel (@Almezel) November 4, 2015
12.28pm - Shaikh Saif: Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum changed the media in the country to an interactive media. There is a difference between talking at someone and talking to someone -- and having a discussion and that's how the media is now.
11.45am -- Saleh Al Bahar, Abu Dhabi corespondent, shares thoughts about his Yemen coverage. "I wanted to conclude my report with a bit more drama. I saw a soldier with a flag wrapped around his body and I wanted borrow it from him. When I approached him and asked if I can borrow it, he said: 'I will give you my eyes but I won't give you the flag because I made an oath to myself. I either raise it once we free Aden or go home wrapped in it as a martyr'."
10.47am - Francis Matthew (Gulf News Editor At Large): There is a very good reason why the UAE is there, and it's our job to get that across to our readers as well as international English media.
Francis Matthew: we need access to regular briefings, which will help the news be accurate and clear.
10.42 am - Mohammad Al Otaiba, Editor in Chief of The National: There is a need of a spokesperson on the ground there to speak, if possible, on a daily basis to explain to us what is happening so we can get this information to our readers.
10.36 am - Francis Matthew, Editor at Large of Gulf News, says expats' understanding of the issues is 4 out of 10, because lack of awareness and that needs to improve.
Francis Matthew, on how Gulf News dealt with the crisis: We wanted to personalise the losses so we spoke to people and families of martyrs -- not just put down the numbers.
"We had coverage from all Emirates to show that this was affecting the whole UAE."
10.27 am - Mohammad Al Otaiba, Editor in Cheif of The National newspaper said the feedback from their English speaking readers was positive in response to the news about martyrs in Yemen- they shared the pain of the families who lost dear ones.
10.15am - The activities of the third Emirates Media Forum (EMF) kicks offs Wednesday morning. This year the forum will discuss the performance of the local media in coping with the regional developments with a focus on Yemen.
Part of the forum venue decked up to resemble a military barracks. Picture Abdul Hamid Ahmad
Sandbags at the Dubai World Trade Centre, where the Emirates Media Forum is underway focussing on the media coverage of the Yemen conflict. Abdul Hamid Ahmad
The forum, is 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.
Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, will give the inaugural speech in the presence of UAE media leaders, editors in chief of local newspapers, prominent writers and intellectuals.
The forum’s discussions are expected to transform into plans and programmes that will reflect positively on the media environment.
