Influencers must represent UAE values: Ajman Municipality chairman

Dubai - The chairman spoke at the fifth Emirati Media Forum in Dubai on Saturday evening.

Being a social media personality is not all about fame and popularity. In the UAE, influencers serve the community and become the country's "voice" to the world.
It was the message that Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Municipality and Planning Department in Ajman, brought to fore when he spoke at the fifth Emirati Media Forum in Dubai on Saturday evening.
"The UAE's influencers have a footprint in the humanitarian field and, most importantly, they preserve the country's values and principles," he said.
And what better way to illustrate such a responsibility than by the example set by the country's most influential personality - His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Currently, Sheikh Mohammed has a whopping 9.66 million followers on Twitter and he was "one of the first government officials to enter into all areas of social networking", Al Qasimi pointed out.
His Twitter feed has been a source of UAE news not only for residents, but for the rest of the world.
But one doesn't have to be as popular as Sheikh Mohammed to make a difference, according to Mona Ghanem Al Marri, president of the Dubai Press Club and chairperson of the EMF organising committee, who also spoke at the event.
"Every human being has the ability to influence others positively or negatively, and UAE influencers must present important and positive messages to the public," Al Marri said. "Media institutions should embrace and help UAE influencers in getting their message out," she added.
Another key speaker, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, shared a piece of advice and a reminder for social media figures.
"Influencers must present the country's values in the content they send out, and they need to be clear with their message," Al Kaabi said.
She also called on them to start generating quality content for the children in the country.
"There is a lack of content for children on social media, and this is a very important aspect that influencers should focus on," she said.
farah@khaleejtimes.com

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