Dubai, May 18: The rapid political and social changes sweeping the region has transformed the media here. This was the talking point at the 10th Arab Media Forum, inaugurated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed on Tuesday.
The rapid political and social changes sweeping the region has transformed the media here. This was the talking point at the 10th Arab Media Forum, which was inaugurated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday.
The signature annual event attracted over 2,400 media professionals from 40 countries.
Workshops on ‘Media Content, More Personal, More Interactive’, ‘Jordanian Media, Birth pangs or Heartburn?’, and ‘On-Air Medical Clinics’ were held on the opening day of the event.
The sessions highlighted the shift in the political, social and media landscape powered by the recent uprisings.
Egypt’s Minister of Culture Emad Abu Ghazi said in his keynote address: “Today’s new media has helped bring about social changes, acting as a tool in the hands of the youth.”
Prior to the recent changes in the region’s political landscape, governments had controlled the media, restricted democracy and took advantage of the non-existence of independent media. But the last few months have proved to be historical in terms of the media industry that has driven changes in Tunisia and Egypt.
Islam has become the new perceived enemy of the West after the fall of the Soviet Union, said Philip Seib, Professor of Journalism and Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California.
Topics that will be taken up for discussion on the second day will focus on Arab youth and the media platforms for expression.
-Agencies