FANA's 51st General Assembly Opens In Kuwait To Address Media Challenges And Cooperation
The 51st General Assembly of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA) began on Monday in Kuwait. Hosted by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the event saw participation from representatives of member agencies. The agenda included discussions on various topics relevant to the media sector.
Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Acting Director-General of the Emirates News Agency (WAM) and President of FANA, chaired the meeting. He was joined by Dr. Fatma Al-Salem, FANA Vice President and Director-General of KUNA, along with senior officials from other Arab news agencies and representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat General, which attended as an observer.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Al Kaabi addressed the challenges facing media in the region, especially due to ongoing crises in Gaza and Lebanon. He stressed the essential role of news agencies in delivering accurate event coverage. The assembly aimed to tackle a variety of issues impacting the Arab media landscape.
Dr. Al Kaabi described this gathering as a crucial forum for discussing significant matters affecting Arab media. He highlighted the importance of fostering collaboration among news agencies and developing innovative strategies to enhance performance and competitiveness.
The meeting also focused on enhancing media cooperation, sharing expertise, and advancing technologies that support both regional and international news coverage. Dr. Al Kaabi emphasised adapting to digital transformations while maintaining ethical standards.
He underscored investing in training to improve employee skills as vital for agency success. This approach aims to ensure that agencies remain competitive in a rapidly changing media environment.
FANA's Role in International Media
Dr. Fareed Ayar, FANA Secretary-General, echoed these views by highlighting FANA's active involvement in the International News Agencies Congress since 2004. He noted that FANA has led six sessions, establishing its position among major regional and international media organisations.
Dr. Ayar also mentioned FANA's collaborations with news agencies across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, as well as with the Arab League's media department. These partnerships focus on ongoing training initiatives for agency personnel in journalism and technical fields.
Support for Arab News Agencies
Expressing optimism for continued support for Arab news agencies, Dr. Ayar stressed the need for financial backing and editorial freedom. This support is crucial for maintaining their role in providing accurate news amid misinformation prevalent on social media platforms.
The assembly serves as a platform to address these challenges while promoting cooperation among member agencies to strengthen their collective impact on global media narratives.
With inputs from WAM
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