By Awa Sowe in Abu Dabhi
In his address at the opening of the Global Media Congress, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence of the UAE spoke extensively on the power of the media - its potential to foster progress. The media, he said can foster international cooperation and the sharing of essential values and interests. He went on to note its role in highlighting human achievements in a way that crosses boundaries of nationality, ethnicity, religion, and culture.
Sheikh Nahyan said under the leadership and guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, media and technology have become major areas of economic activities and growth in the UAE, and that Dubai is continuously creating and supporting opportunities that foster imagination, ingenuity and innovations that enhance the role of the media in society and expand the benefits of technology in their daily lives.
He praised the vigorous leadership and initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, noting that His Highness’ keen understanding of the power of the media in shaping attitudes and perceptions has allowed the Global Media Congress to be held regularly in Abu Dhabi and has guaranteed its relevance and continued success.
Sheikh Nahyan expressed belief that news organisations and other media companies will continue to take advantage of digital technologies and expand their presence on the web to deliver their material more quickly, to improve their timeliness and relevance, to reach larger audiences, to monitor readership and audience trends and preferences, and to increase revenue and reduce costs. He added that electronic media including web-based media, television and radio, satellite, wireless and mobile technologies, as well as other forms of modern delivery, will continue to provide information and entertainment to large audiences.
“As the media industry is changing rapidly, we must agree that the most important thing in the media is the content created and not the technology used, the minister said, asserting that media professionals have an important responsibility to provide quality content that meets the needs of diverse national and international audiences, as they are also responsible for delivering a balanced mix of news, information, education, and entertainment from all local, national, and international sources.
Sheikh Nahyan stressed that the success of the media industry in these endeavours is critical to the future growth of the information society and will help advance human welfare and international peace and goodwill, as it requires investment in the education and development of media professionals and communication experts. He added that it also requires cooperation and coordination in fighting misinformation and false news.
