Mohammed highlights responsibilities of local media

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has underlined the importance of the local media in the making of the present and the future of the region.

Sheikh Mohammed on Wednesday attended the opening of the third Emirati Media Forum being held at the World Trade Centre.

Present at the opening were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of National Media Council (NMC), senior officials, editors-in-chief of local newspapers, academicians, writers and journalists attended the opening of the forum.

During his tour to the forum, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid stopped at workshops, organised for the first time at the forum, and the media centre set up to provide full support to journalists covering the annual one-day event organised by Dubai Press Club

Sheikh Mohammed also visited the stand of DP World, the strategic partner of the forum.

He also launched Al-Ain.net, a new Arabic language news portal based in Abu Dhabi. Through its website https://al-ain.net/, the outlet will provide wide news coverage of the Arab Region and beyond in addition to analyses in a variety of political, economic and sports topics.

Speaking at the opening of the UAE Media Forum in Dubai on Wednesday, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed pointed out the responsibilities of the local media in addressing the challenges facing the region in the current period.

His Highness said the UAE will continue to support the oppressed and provide assistance to those in need in all parts of the earth.

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanies by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

Addressing the local media, Sheikh Mohammed said: "Have professionalism and honesty because they are the basis of media work that we want in our society, and you have all our support. I myself follow broadcasts of the media about the issues affecting people's lives."

He added: "Nothing is truer than highlighting facts to counter lies. The UAE leadership and its heroes brave will continue to support legitimacy and defend of the oppressed under the banner of truth and justice. Do not hesitate to highlight all the gains of our country and its achievements."

At the forum, Sheikh Mohammed honoured various heads and editors of local media organizations.

Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, who delivered the keynote of the forum, said positive citizenship requires positive media that champions the country in all circumstances based on credibility and responsible transparency.

He also demanded that all Emiratis have a sense of national and social responsibility when transmitting, carrying or sharing ideas through various media.

Sheikh Saif expressed his pride in the UAE Armed Forces taking part in the Saudi-led Arab Coalition's war in Yemen and said they are making steady progress in defending the region and the right of its peoples to dignified life while protecting the achievements made by the UAE including openness, freedom of expression and media freedom.

The UAE deputy prime minister also hailed local media organisations for covering the funerals of the UAE Armed Forces' martyred servicemen and showing their families' high sense of national responsibility and belonging while the injured servicemen showed courage and patriotism.

In her speech at the forum, Mona Ghanem Al Marri, director-general of Dubai Government  Media Office and chair of Dubai Press Club, noted that the exceptional developments in the region have produced great challenges.

She also noted that the UAE declared its firm backing of victims of injustice and the Yemeni people's defence of their country where Emiratis sacrificed their lives to defend what is just and right.

She underscored the importance of standarising local media discourse based on the forum's focus on the need for a media agenda that is nationally responsible.

The forum, Al Marri noted, reflects solidarity between the leadership and people of the UAE.

She recalled that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed previously stressed the need for constructive media that helps people and boost growth and development.

Developing the media will have to keep pace with future development in the region and beyond where the UAE media organisations should prove fit for being highly responsive while social media should be employed in the optimal way to disseminate positive messages and counter false news and rumors.

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