Covid crisis was a real test for media, Arab Media Forum hears

Dubai - Arab Media Forum kicks off with virtual session

by

Afkar Ali Ahmed

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Published: Wed 23 Dec 2020, 5:25 PM

Last updated: Wed 23 Dec 2020, 5:59 PM

The 19th Arab Media Forum (AMF), being held virtually for the first time, kicked off on Wednesday, under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Mona Ghanem Al Marri, President of the Dubai Press Club which is organising the event, addressed the opening session. She said: "The current Covid-19 crisis has posed a real test for media industry around the world and pushed us towards thinking differently for the future to create a better Arab media."


She added: "There is no doubt that the meeting will revolve around creating content, digital tools and platforms that offer Arab recipients a more effective and attractive media experience."

Al Marri underlined: “The biggest challenge facing the Arab media makers lies in the crisis of confidence among large segments of the public, particularly the youth, who have not received sufficient attention from media institutions, even though they are responsible for the most important changes in the world.”


Delivering the keynote speech, Dr Mostafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister of Egypt, said that the communication and information revolution has made the world a small electronic village. It helps the media to assume a highly influential role in the political process, and how it reflects the nature of the relationship between states and their societies.

He added: "Our belief in the key role of technology in developing the media work environment does not mean that it alone is sufficient to create a strong media. The human creativity and innovative thought remain the most important basic pillars that can build a distinct media system,” Al Madbouly pointed out.

During the opening session, Dr Nayef Falah M. Al Hajraf. Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, emphasised the stance of Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC) countries in supporting the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people – based on the decision of the UN.

"We respect the steps towards peace taken by Gulf and Arab countries with Israel which is their legal right to pursue an initiative that would contribute to economic development and ensure safety and security for people."

Al Hajraf said that the Arab Peace Initiative (API), which was proposed by Saudi in March 2002 to resolve the Palestine-Israel conflict, still remains inactive with the Israel side.

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Mona Ghanem Al Marri, President of the Dubai Press Club. File photo
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, President of the Dubai Press Club. File photo

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