|
UAE Freezones Biz News Updates
|
|
First Emirati Media Forum discusses Emiratisation
Shaikh Mohammed, Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Mona Al Merri and a large number of Emirati media students during the inaugural session of the Emirati Media Forum in Dubai on Wednesday.
Minister says the country realised how technological advances have impacted
the media sector.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime
Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the opening of the first
Emirati Media Forum (UAEMF), organised by the Dubai Press Club.
Anwar Mohammed Gargash, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said the
country realised how technological advances have impacted the media sector.
He praised Shaikh Mohammed, saying that he is the first Arab leader, who has
devoted pages on social media networking platforms to communicate directly
with Emiratis. He pointed to the recent initiative of Shaikh Mohammed, where
he invited feedback from the public through social networks in areas of
health care and education in a series of discussions with the UAE Cabinet.
The UAEMF dedicated a full session to discuss the issue of Emiratisation of
the media sector in the UAE. “The government policy in this regard is clear.
The UAE Foreign Minister, Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also
the Chairman of the National Media Council, stressed that Emiratisation of
the media sector is an objective, national and ethical responsibility, in
which we should all join hands,” Gargash said.
“Emiratisation of jobs in national media institutions is pegged at 25 per
cent, and that rate might have gone up slightly over the past six months,
but the paramount question is: How do we increase that rate?” he asked.
“We are undertaking a major initiative to boost Emiratisation in the media
sector including holding open days for recruitment by major media
organisations with the support of the journalists’ associations where
students could interact with the recruiters and understand their
requirements,” said Ibrahim Al Abed, Director-General of the National Media
Council.
Mona Ghanim Al Marri, Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media
Office, said the idea of the forum was inspired by the vision of Shaikh
Mohammed for the future of the UAE.
“This vision requires painstaking efforts to take our media to the level in
which it can compete at the forefront on Arab and international levels,” she
said.
On the objectives of the forum, she said: “We want this forum to serve as a
quality addition to the national efforts being made to upgrade our media and
boost its stature.
Dubai Press Club Director Mona Bousamra termed the forum as a “significant
initiative” launched by the club. She said the new strategy of the club
focussed primarily on youth.
Golden era of Emirati media
Forum participants unanimously declared that Emirati media is witnessing its
golden era.
A number of gifted youth from the media spoke in the session titled ‘Emirati
media innovations: successful experiences’. These include Mustafa Al Zarooni,
City Editor, Khaleej Times; Futaim Al Falasi, radio anchor; Atheer Shakar
from Dubai Media Incorporated; Shaikha Al Maskari, writer and founding
member of Masdar news website; and Yasser Al Niadi, writer and producer.
The speakers demonstrated the obstacles they faced, and the opportunities
provided to them to excel in their fields.
“We have freedom, but we do not take advantage of this facility due to lack
of courage,” Al Zarooni said, stressing that Arabic newspapers utilise just
30 per cent of that freedom, while English dailies utilise 50 per cent.
“This is due to the fear of obstructing an advertisement or a government
department’s frustration over reports, among other reasons.”
Zarooni attributed the decline in the rate of Emiratisation in media to
several reasons: poor wages, lack of suitable training programmes and
absence of trust in the GCC media.
A number of new graduates, he said, “have no guts” to shoot questions or
speak with officials.
19 Dec 2013 |
|
Courtesy Khaleej Times
|
|