Future is for those who can imagine it, Arab News Editor says at AMF reception

DUBAI: As part of a series of initiatives marking its 50th anniversary, Arab News hosted a special reception and talk in collaboration with Google on the opening day of the Arab Media Forum, reflecting on five decades of events that shaped the Middle East and exploring the future of the region’s media landscape.

During the reception, held at the Dubai Future Foundation under the theme “Reimagining the Future of Media,” Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, addressed the challenges facing the media industry and how emerging technologies are reshaping its future.

“The future does not wait, the future is already here, and we should remember that the future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it and execute it, as Dubai Ruler H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid always says,” said Abbas.

“As an industry, we have suffered far too long from paralysis by analysis,” he added. “While artificial intelligence is evolving every day, we should simply just do it and remember that amateurs talk strategy, while professionals talk logistics, as the late World War II general, Omar Bradley, once said.”

Faisal J. Abbas presents a memento marking the 50th anniversary of Arab News to Khalfan Belhoul. (AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)

For her part, Mona Al-Marri, director-general of Dubai Media Office, Government of Dubai, welcomed the attendees and congratulated Arab News on its 50th anniversary in her opening remarks.

“Congratulations to the entire Arab News team,” she said, noting the newspaper’s pivotal role in the regional media landscape and its long-standing contribution to the Arab Media Summit since its inception 23 years ago — “whether through participation, contribution, or by organizing events like this.”

Al-Marri praised the leadership of Abbas, saying that “having a young editor-in-chief running such a major platform makes” a real difference.

Let’s all agree that how we create and consume media is changing dramatically.

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation

“How can we transform such a platform into digital? Today’s (event) actually marks the importance of having such collaboration, like with Google and the Dubai Future Foundation, where we feel this is the future of the Arab media. I hope that all media outlets in our region follow in the steps of Arab News, because this is when you set a good working model for the whole region.”

“Arab News is leading this transformation,” she added. In a region where over 50 percent of the population is young, “we should all follow this model.”

Al-Marri praised the leadership of Abbas, saying that “having a young editor-in-chief running such a major platform makes” a real difference. (AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)

Speaking on the future of the industry in his keynote speech, Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, outlined seven key predictions for media over the next year.

“Let’s all agree that how we create and consume media is changing dramatically,” he said during his address at the Dubai Future Foundation Auditorium in Emirates Towers. “Look at the average attention span, which is eight seconds.”

He noted how sports consumption has dramatically changed beyond live games and consequently the demand for content has exploded. “For me, sport is all about pre-game, game, post-game interviews and conversations. And we need to adapt to that.”

Belhoul emphasized that this shift is forcing a transformation of media business models. “New media means new roles,” he said, listing predictions such as AI-generated news anchors, governments licensing content creators, and AI-powered productions by major streaming platforms. He also highlighted the rise of “slow media” as a cultural counterbalance to viral, unchecked content.

He said that the disruptive power of AI — from disinformation to audience mistrust — makes the “human touch” more vital than ever. “AI may be the hero of the next media chapter, but self-critique, adaptability and editorial responsibility will define its success,” he said.

Now in its 24th edition, the three-day Arab Media Forum in Dubai brings together senior government officials, media executives, thought leaders, and influential content creators from the Arab region and beyond. It is now held under a bigger event called the Arab Media Summit, which includes various other forums and award ceremonies.

Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, addressed the challenges facing the media industry and how emerging technologies are reshaping its future. (AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)

The summit runs until May 28 and focuses on fostering collaboration among media platforms, senior officials, and governments to create a positive impact on shaping vital sectors of everyday life in the region.

In light of this connection, the summit features an impressive lineup of prominent personalities including Nawaf Salam, the prime minister of Lebanon, and Asaad Al-Shaibani, Syria’s foreign minister, among others.

A panel discussion featuring information ministers from several Arab countries explores the future of public media and strategies to strengthen collaboration with the private sector.

The best results come when an AI tool is put in the hands of journalists, creating magic for users.

Anthony Nakache, Managing director of Google MENA

Ghassan Salameh, Lebanon’s minister of culture, will share insights on the media’s role in shaping a path toward regional stability, while prominent media figure Piers Morgan is set to address the summit audience in a key session.

Addressing the pivotal role of AI in reshaping the media landscape, Anthony Nakache, Managing Director for Google in the Middle East & North Africa, highlighted Google’s initiatives and AI-powered products aimed at enhancing journalism and supporting content creation in an era of rapid digital transformation.

He said: “Since Google was founded, our mission has been to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible for everyone. Twenty six later, this mission has not changed and we are more committed to it than ever, with AI being at the core of it.”

Anthony Nakache, Managing Director of Google in MENA, highlighted Google’s initiatives and AI-powered products aimed at enhancing journalism and supporting content creation. (AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)

“We launched new initiatives such as the AI Launchpad with FT Strategies and the Google News initiative and FT Strategies AI design sprint in collaboration with The Saudi Ministry of Media and the UAE Media Council.”

He added: “By continuing to invest in innovation, to uphold the highest standards of quality information, and by empowering journalists to use AI tools and digital solutions, we can together forge a very dynamic and successful future for journalism in the region. A great example of that is what we are going to showcase tonight, which is our collaboration with Arab News that is now experimenting with the latest of our AI tools to create new ways to engage with their audience.”

Nakache said he was “very excited” about the upcoming Arab News podcast series powered by NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered research tool to help users find, summarize, generate Audio Overviews, and gain insights faster from their information. The tool was recently recognized as one of the most innovative AI solutions of 2024 by Time magazine.

“But the best (results come) when it is put in the hands of journalists, creating magic for users,” he added.

The reception, held at the Dubai Future Foundation, was themed “Reimagining the Future of Media.” (AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)

Monday evening concluded with the announcement of Arab News’ collaboration with Google for a special podcast series titled “Recounting the Moments that Changed the Middle East.”

The five-episode podcast series spans five decades, with each episode focusing on a pivotal decade in Middle East history — from 1975 to the present.

Produced using NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered research tool, the project employed artificial hosts and AI-generated voices to narrate major events that shaped the region, highlighting how emerging technology can support storytelling, research and historical reflection in modern journalism.

You can access the podcast by visiting https://arab.news/7m9ra

LONDON: US President Donald Trump has threatened the BBC with a billion-dollar lawsuit, US sources said, as the broadcaster apologized Monday for editing a speech that gave the impression he urged “violent action” just before the 2021 assault on the US Capitol.

Trump could seek $1 billion in damages from the BBC, a source close to his legal team said, amid a growing furor that prompted the resignations Sunday of two of the broadcaster’s top brass.

The source said the British broadcaster has been given until Friday to retract the 2024 documentary and apologize for the documentary broadcast just before the 2024 US presidential election.

Trump has been accused of launching lawsuits to stifle US media. But the latest controversy has reignited a debate over the British broadcaster, cherished by many but which has faced long-standing accusations of bias, from both ends of the political spectrum.

A spokesman for Trump’s private legal team confirmed that a letter had been sent to the BBC but did not give details.

“The BBC defamed President Trump by intentionally and deceitfully editing its documentary in order to try and interfere in the presidential election,” the spokesman said in a statement to AFP.

“President Trump will continue to hold accountable those who traffic in lies, deception, and fake news.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “We will review the letter and respond directly in due course.”

‘Vital role’

In a letter sent to MPs, BBC chairman Samir Shah said the broadcaster accepted that the editing of Trump’s speech for the documentary “did give the impression of a direct call for violent action.”

“The BBC would like to apologize for that error of judgment,” he added, vowing to reform oversight within the broadcaster.

Director general Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness stepped down over the escalating backlash on Sunday.

Trump promptly celebrated, accusing BBC journalists of being “corrupt” and “dishonest.” His press secretary called the broadcaster “100-percent fake news.”

However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman told reporters the organization “has a vital role in an age of disinformation.”

“It’s important that the BBC acts swiftly to maintain trust and correct mistakes quickly when they occur,” he added.

The government is preparing a review of the BBC’s charter, which outlines the corporation’s governance and funding framework. The current charter ends in 2027.

The broadcaster, which has cut hundreds of jobs amid stretched finances, is funded by a license fee paid by anyone who watches live TV in Britain.

Some have welcomed the resignations as a timely reckoning for the BBC, while others fear the influence of right-wing detractors, including in the United States.

Ed Davey, leader of the centrist Liberal Democrats, urged Starmer to tell Trump to “keep his hands off” the BBC.

Former BBC journalist Karen Fowler-Watt, head of the journalism department at City St. George’s University in London, told AFP the institution was “now really in a situation of crisis.”

She noted it was “very difficult not to see this as a right-wing attack, given the media ecosystem in which we all now live.”

Controversies

In London, Britons were both critical and sympathetic.

Jimmy, who works in construction and declined to give his surname, told AFP the BBC’s reputation had been “tarnished” and it had “shown that they’re not impartial.”

But 78-year-old writer Jennifer Kavanagh said it has “always been attacked from the right and from the left.”

“They can never get it right,” she added.

Its latest crisis intensified after the right-wing Daily Telegraph newspaper reported last week that a former external standards adviser’s warnings of serious and widespread failings of impartiality and systemic bias had been ignored.

That included the editing of sections of Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech ahead of the mob attack on the US Capitol following the 2020 US presidential election.

It appeared he had told supporters he was going to walk there with them and “fight like hell,” whereas the president also told the audience in the intervening period “we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women.”

Earlier this year, the BBC apologized for “serious flaws” in the making of another documentary, about the Gaza war, which the UK’s media watchdog deemed “materially misleading.”

It also faced criticism for failing to pull a livestream of punk-rap duo Bob Vylan during this year’s Glastonbury festival after its frontman made anti-Israel comments.

Future is for those who can imagine it, Arab News Editor says at AMF reception