Arab Media Forum: Shining a light on the region’s media

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, sits in between Princess Rym Brahimi, wife of Jordanian Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, and Egyptian Cultural Minister Imad Badreddin Mahmud Ghazi at the opening session of Arab Media Forum in Dubai on May 17, 2011. (AFP)

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai, accompanied by Mona Al-Marri, chairperson of the AMF Organizing Committee, President of Dubai Press Club (2nd from right) pose with Arab Journalism Award winners, Asharq Al Awsat newspaper’s Editor in Chief Ghassan Charbel (3rd L) who received ‘Media Personality of the Year’ award and AFP photographer Jaafar Ashtiyeh (4th R) who received the Photojournalism award during the 16th Arab Journalism Award (AJA) at Arab Media Forum in Dubai on May 2, 2017. (AFP)

Al-Arabiya economic news presenter Siba Awdeh speaks during a panel discussion at the 8th Arab Media Forum in Dubai on May 11, 2009. The forum will discuss developments in the region and the Arab media. AFP PHOTO/KARIM SAHIBKARIM SAHIB / AFP

DUBAI: The organizer of the Arab Media Forum (AMF), which starts on Tuesday in Dubai, said that the event will “shine a light” on the industry and its role promoting positive change in the region.
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa will speak during the main session on the opening day.
The 17th edition of the AMF, which runs for two days, is being held under the theme “Impactful Media Trends.”
Mona Ghanem Al-Marri, president of Dubai Press Club (DPC) and chairperson of the AMF Organizing Committee, said that media could play a positive role in the Arab world.
“This year’s Arab Media Forum seeks to shine a light on how the region’s media can respond to the vast changes taking place both in the Arab world and across the globe. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, has often said that the media has a major role to play in supporting the region in overcoming its current challenges and reviving Arab civilization,” she told Arab News.
“The forum will also take a close look at how media organizations can take advantage of new advanced technologies to support positive change and growth in our region. We have brought together leading media personalities from the Arab world and internationally to discuss how we can together forge a new vision for the media’s growth.”
More than 2,500 guests and 50 speakers from 20 countries from across the Arab region and the world are expected at the forum.
“Prominent media personalities, writers and thought leaders will share their views on diverse issues with the aim of forging a new vision for the media that supports the aspirations of the region’s people,” the organizer said.
“The 17th edition of the AMF will examine the impact of regional political developments on media, especially with regard to professional media values like objectivity and impartiality. The forum will discuss key changes in the form and content of Arab media brought by technological developments. This year’s AMF will also discuss trends related to audiences in the digital era including the impact of artificial intelligence on the press and ways of engaging audiences in a digital world.”
Al-Marri said the AMF will explore ways of instilling strong professional and ethical values in the industry.
“The rapid and complex transformations taking place in the region have brought many challenges, which the media is not immune to. The annual forum is the ideal platform to analyze the current situation of the media industry and address its current weaknesses, given its historic role as a partner in the development of societies,” Al-Marri said.