Sharjah revamps government media bodies

The decision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to form the Sharjah Media Council is a bold and farsighted step to bolster and streamline the vibrant media sector in the emirate, said Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi.
According to the new Emiri decree (No. 6 of 2017)  issued by the Ruler of Sharjah on Monday, the Sharjah Media Council will be headed by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and will comprise the Sharjah Media Corporation, Sharjah Government Media Bureau and Sharjah Media City. The new decree also renamed the Sharjah Media Centre as the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB).   
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, asserted that the generous support extended by the Ruler of Sharjah to the media industry has contributed to the development of the emirate's media system, which, in turn, has contributed to Sharjah's strong media presence on the global map. He said that the decree helps create an integrated regulatory environment for media sector and upgrade its programmes, which support media work and the implementation of Sharjah's strategic objectives which align with the country's media vision.
Over the past few years Sharjah has witnessed a phenomenal revolution and boom on the media front, especially in fine-tuning and boosting government communication, putting the emirate on the global communication map.
"Sharjah has always been known for its patronage of and support for a vibrant media in the emirate and boasts world-class media and publications. Thanks to the vision and strategy of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and initiatives like the formation of the Sharjah Media Centre, Sharjah Media City and hosting of the annual International Government Communication Forum, Sharjah has emerged as a global media hub and earned itself a distinct image in the region," he said.
Ibrahim Al Abed, Advisor to the Chairman of National Media Council, praised the rapid development of the media landscape in Sharjah, which receives significant support from Dr Sheikh Sultan.
Al Abed pointed out that the establishment of the Sharjah Media Council culminates the constant efforts of the emirate in the field of media through its media institutions and organisations, which have proven their excellence in local and international media arena.
Prof Essam Naser, acting Dean of the College of Communication at the University of Sharjah, welcomed the formation of the media council, saying the step will help unify the media industry in the emirate and give the sector a new direction. The decision would also help the various players of Sharjah's media sector to improve their content and compete regionally and globally.
Roles and responsibilities
Explaining the role of the new body, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed said that the Sharjah Media Council will be responsible for developing the general policy of the media sector in Sharjah in line with the UAE general media policy and in coordination with the competent federal authorities; proposing strategies and plans to promote the emirate's media sector and submitting them to the executive council for approval and initiation of the necessary procedures; and activating legislations that regulate media work in the emirate and working to update them in accordance with the procedures to keep abreast of changes in the media system..
He expressed his confidence that the Sharjah Government Media Bureau would further enhance its role and efforts to bolster the government communication, taking the fruits of development to the people and involving all stakeholders in the decision making process.
 reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah