Abu Dhabi Media digitalise 3m rare historical records

The Abu Dhabi Media has completed the first phase of its project of digital archiving of print and electronic media reports and film footages produced since mid-1960s

Over three million valuable historical records across TV, radio and print converted into secure digital form, including more than 5,000 hours of unique TV footage of the UAE history and late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The Abu Dhabi Media on Sunday announced the successful completion of the first phase of its pioneering digital archiving initiative, which has seen the restoration and conversion of more than three million of the company’s rare and historical media materials into digital form, using the latest digital archiving technology.

“As the oldest media organisation in the country, many of Abu Dhabi Media’s assets chronicle the history of the United Arab Emirates from 1950 up until today.

“The company is committed to preserving this legacy for future generations, and the conversion of its archives into digital form will result in a comprehensive archive of classified digital content, that will ensure the durability, security and easy access of these valuable resources,” said COO Saif Saeed Ghobash. The Abu Dhabi Media also plans to integrate a commercial model into its archiving plans that will allow the company to make the restored and archived materials available to entities outside the organisation.

The project is a nine-year programme that aims at restoring and protecting the company’s historical videos, sound files and documents, by converting them into a secure digital format. Set for completion in 2020, the archiving project is divided into a number of stages, beginning with the foundation phase, which the Abu Dhabi Media has successfully completed on time over the past two-years.

The organisation will be engaging an international archiving firm, with expertise in this type of digital archiving, to partner with the company and oversee the remaining stages of the project, in order to ensure it is completed according to the best international practice.

Commenting, on the project, Peter Hellyer, chief editor of former Emirates Ne ws from 1985 till 1999, said it will create a wealth of historical facts pertaining to the UAE and the region.

A team of dedicated employees have been trained to lead the ongoing initiative and to utilise the company’s cutting-edge digital archiving technology. Over 16,000 hours of radio broadcast, and 3.5 million files and images from across the company’s newspaper and publishing records have also been restored and converted. The resulting archive documents include many of the country’s most important social, cultural, artistic and historical events.

Abdul Hadi Al Shaikh, Executive Director of Digital Media Services at the organisation, said: “Abu Dhabi Media’s digital archiving initiative is of particular importance to the company, as we have a responsibility to ensure the preservation of these unique and valuable historical records for the future. We are working steadily towards the creation of a world-class digital archive that captures some of the most important historical moments in the UAE’s history across print, radio and TV. Our digital archiving project will ensure these resources are available to be utilised and shared for the benefit of the wider community.”

nissar@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE