Specialised parliamentary media need of the hour

There is an “urgent need” for qualified and specialised reporters to professionally cover parliamentary works and effectively express people’s views and feedback, according to Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC).

Parliamentary Media Forum in progress at Raffles Hotel in Dubai on Monday. — KT Photos by Juidin Bernarrd

Al Murr was speaking at the first Parliamentary Media Forum held in Dubai on Monday.

The forum highlighted the importance of mass media — both conventional and new — as a strategic partner for a better interactive parliamentary life.

Addressing the one-day forum, which is expected to be held on an annual basis, Al Murr said parliamentary media has become an important pillar for the development of contemporary senatorial life. “We need a specialised media to honestly transfer parliamentary works, and more importantly, discuss, comment, analyse and get feedback on them from the public.”

The forum — the first of its kind in the UAE — was organised by the FNC in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Al Murr said parliaments, undertaking legislative and political responsibilities, communicate people’s hopes, problems and issues in all aspects of life. “Thus, media, as part of its social responsibility, should shed light and convey all these issues in an objective and interactive way, involving all government and civil entities in a fruitful dialogue.”

He said the latest technologies have led to a quantum leap in media and communication, changing its form and content. Interactive social networks, he said, have become the most popular form of media, particularly among the youth.

Mistakes made by parliamentary reporters

Faisal Abdulla Al Tenaiji, Member of the FNC for Fujairah, told Khaleej Times that the Middle East, particularly Arab countries, and GCC lack a specialised parliamentary media.

“The forum is a bid to address this critical situation and come up with better communication between the parliament and members of the society, and avoid inaccurate or unfruitful coverage of parliamentary works based on modern mass media, social networks, and latest technologies,” he said.

Al Tenaiji, who is also a member of the IPU, said parliaments spare no effort to helping the people, keeping in touch with them, reflect ing their hopes, and expressing their needs. “The UAE reporters covering parliament works have made countless mistakes in their coverage, leading to people being misled, and receiving a wrong message.

“There is a real shortage of specialised parliament reporters here in the country to professionally, more effectively and honestly, convey parliamentary works. This is because one wrong letter may change the meaning of a legislation.”

Echoing the same, Sultan Al Samahi, Member of the FNC, said there is a need to make use of media and social networks to better explain parliamentary works in general and legislations in particular. “Parliaments and parliamentary media have to cope with such advanced means of communication for better, easier, faster, and more effective outreach, and decision making process.”

Abdelwahad Radi, President of the IPU, said the 125-year-old IPU, since its inception in 1889, has been dedicated to supporting democracy and sustaining peace worldwide. “The special democratic circumstances we are going through these days are basically derived from people’s ambition for a better future based on mass media and social networks as vital tools.”

Social networks and parliaments

Social networks, having become the most significant influence on politics, now provide an instant monitoring and evaluation for parliamentary works and the roles of parliament members, he said.

Radi noted that the most challenging situation for parliaments worldwide is to create and develop a close, deep and strong relationship between the parliament and the citizens to open doors for creative development. “I believe the forum is meant to spotlight the critical role of parliamentary media in developing people’s political awareness, and give a boost to parliamentary culture.”

The forum was attended by Abdul Rahman Salim Al Hajri, Sharjah Consultative Council Speaker; Noureddine Bouchkouj, Secretary-General of the Arab IPU; and Jamal Jassim Zuwayd, Bahraini House of Representatives’ Acting General-Secretary; members of the Advisory Council of the Emirate of Sharjah; members of the FNC; and a number of officials and journalists.

The forum was also attended by deputy ministers; directors of local and federal departments; directors of communication and information in ministries and local institutions; academics from universities in the UAE; and students.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com